02/10/1986 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e e e City.s costs for issuing plumbing permits are considerably lower than State costs for issuing plumbing permits. She said systems development charges are different from building permit fees because systems development charges pay for the City's share of infrastructure improvements needed by new development. She suggested the systems development charges be reviewed later. Mayor Obie opened the public hearing. John Bennett, 1686 Pearl, is Executive Officer of the Home Builders Associa- tion. He said developers realize the City has not raised fees for some time and has improved the permit and inspection program. He said developers appre- ciate the staff recognition that building permits help the whole community and, therefore, the developer and future occupant should not have to pay the entire cost of the permit. He said the Home Builders Association supports good, reasonable building codes and their consistent enforcement. Mr. Bennett said home buyers must pay many costs in addition to the Building Division permits. The up-front costs are usually included in the loan for a home and, consequently, the cost over the life of the loan is more than the original fee. He said the systems development charge is perceived as part of the building permit fees. He said home prices have dropped in the last few years when economic growth in Eugene has been slow. He suggested inspections by City officials be combined to reduce costs because the number of inspections and inspectors seem to have increased more than the code revisions would require. He said there may be more State inspections than necessary. He said Eugene seems to require more engineering data be submitted with plans than other cities in Oregon even though the same State code is used. Mr. Bennett recommended a fee increase be limited to 30 percent so that it does not seem so dramatic. He said the systems development charge was established to pay the costs of rapid expansion. Because the City has not grown much recently, he recommended the system development charge be reduced as much as the building permits are increased. He recommended the fee increases not be effective until June 30, 1986. Mr. Bennett said the Home Builders Association will cooperate with the City staff in streamlining the operation of the Building division. He said the association supports the creation of the Building Construction Advisory Committee. There being no additional requests to testify, Mayor Obie closed the public hearing. Councilor Miller wondered if the increase in fees would be offset by an increase in the number of people who do not get permits. Ms. Andersen responded that a double fee is charged if a building permit is not obtained before remodeling begins. She said the increased fees are reasonable. The increase for remodeling permits will be less than the increase for permits for new houses. She said that people in the building and remodeling community are responsible and get permits. Responding to a question from Ms. Bascom, Mr. Gleason said City revenues would be about $40,000 less if June 30 is the effective date of the fee increases instead of the April 1. He said many projects start before July 1. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 10, 1986 Page 3