07-27-2015 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 27, 2015 7:00 o'clock p.m. 4. ##15-3712 CITY OF ORONO, AMEND CITY CODE SECTION 86-70 BUILDING PERMIT EXPIRATION -- ORDINANCE NO. 151 (continued) Mayor McMillan stated 180 days is definitive and asked what would happen if a project is not completed during that time. Barnhart stated the City has a two-year time limit for the building and that this ordinance is just limited to the exterior. Council Member Walsh stated he has a concern with the 180 days given the fact that some people install sprinkler systems or other similar items once the project is completed or near completion. Walsh stated he does not want to penalize someone who is making good progress on their project by requiring them to get another permit. Barnhart stated the City Council has the ability to change the 180 days in the ordinance. Barnhart noted next month he will be bringing before the City Council another ordinance that addresses extensions of building permits. Walsh asked what the City of Elk River did to address this issue. Walsh indicated he would be more comfortable with 9 to 12 months. Walsh stated if a window order is delayed, that could delay the project by two months. Barnhart stated Elk River required at least one inspection every six months, which is intended to see if progress is being made on the project. Barnhart stated technically someone could pound in one nail a year and say that they are making progress. Barnhart stated the main issue with projects being dragged out relates to people running out of money but that results in neighbors having a partially constructed building. Walsh stated this ordinance will not solve that problem and that he would be more comfortable with a longer time period. Walsh noted the construction season can be pretty short in Minnesota and that unanticipated delays can occur which may result in the project taking longer than 180 days. Walsh stated he would rather start with a year limit and that the Council can always shorten that up if necessary. Council Member Printup stated he likes that idea. Council Member Cornick stated that is reasonable. Walsh moved, Cornick seconded, to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 151, Third Series, an Ordinance Amending the Orono Municipal Code by Amending Section 86-70 Regarding Expiration of Building Permits, with the time period being extended to one year. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Page 3 of 29