Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
June 3, 2015 1:05 p.m.
Over the last few months I’ve heard, “the city’s [Bldg. Dept.] is much easier to work with . . . than the county.” City Manager Joe Gerrity
Is the City’s Building Department improving? At yesterday’s Building Department Workshop only one audience member suggested a permit process improvement.
Benjamin Morrison of Cotner and Associates Architects repeated previous years’ requests to accept digital documents to improve document sharing between departments.
City Manager Joe Gerrity was quick to respond, “We are working on that this upcoming budget year.” A planned purchase of new software will allow digital transmissions.
The City’s turnaround time on permits, always a complaint among some contractors and residents, is not an issue for Ted Kostik from KDL Homes who has built 27 residential homes in the area over the last 5 years.
He advised residential permit seekers to “ . . .do your homework before you walk into the building department. Don’t have them train you on how to build or remodel homes.”
Kostik said he found the building department “to be right on time” with permits. “My average on a 2200 square foot home is 3 weeks. I’ve worked in 17 counties across the United States and this is one of the better turnarounds.”
Local attorney Teresa Prince had glowing remarks for help with a residential/commercial non-conforming use property from CDD staff and City Attorney Tammi Bach. “The staff went over and above,” said Prince.
Community Development Director Adrienne Burke emphasized many activities within the CDD are about public safety. “Public safety is the point of codes,” said Burke who oversees building department activities.
Burke said customer service and operational efficiency is the first initiative in CDD’s strategic plan. “Our department has come a long way in terms of putting customer service at top of the priority list.” A CDD activity analysis conducted last fiscal year recorded 28,000 customer contacts.
Building official for the City of Fernandina Beach, Tony Perez-Guerra briefed commissioners on the permit process and major changes to the building code that will go into effect on July 1. Many of the changes focus on higher energy standards that will make new home construction more energy efficient.
A State of Florida statue requires residential permits to be issued within 30 days. However, incomplete applications and inadequate follow through by contractors can result in longer waits. On more complicated commercial permits, the state has no mandated time constraints.
On July 1, owners will be able to pull their own permit if they prove the work is being done on their own personal residence not commercial properties.
Many permits are issued over the counter such as shingle roof projects, mechanical, gas (residential), plumbing, electrical, tree removal, and permits for non-structural fence.
July first brings in new building codes. According to Perez-Guerra , there are 400 pages of code changes. Continuing education classes are required for inspectors to keep current. A large portion of the upcoming code changes focus on the state’s goal to improve energy efficiency in home construction. Blower tests will begin on building projects to determine air leaks. This effort will produce tighter duct unions and registers, saving energy and equipment wear.
Ted is one of the best contractors on the Island and gave good advice with respect to going in to the permitting process with all the correct information to make it an easy experience. This company does their homework and quickly navigates the system without complications, which in the end makes for a better product with is delivered on time.