Business Retention and Development Committee Agenda and Packet 2014 12 03

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Business Retention & Development Committee Meeting Minutes November 3, 2014 Page 3 of 4 Builders are always provided with a list of items that must be completed when an inspection fails. Building safety is always consistent with code. Discussion began about the complexity of getting to a CO. Some feel the process is too complex, whereas others feel it isn't complex, but final issues come as a surprise when the project is wrapping up. Economic Development will work with Planning and Building Safety to develop a document that outlines all the required items the City needs to issue a CO. Clarity up front when a permit is issued may help later in the process. Each City's requirements are somewhat different and a document outlining Louisville's requirements may be helpful. Discussion began about not issuing Temporary Certificates of Occupancy. Some were surprised we don't issue TCO. Not everything comes together when we want it to. As long as we are protecting public safety, we should issue. We don't want a reputation of inflexibility. We want to serve residents and public interests. Russ explained that it is a matter of semantics. Alfalfa's was technically issued a "TCO" but the building department issued a CO with conditions, not a TCO. We won't compromise on building /public safety. Chairperson Dalton asked if we are allowing people to occupy buildings, conditioned upon receiving assurance that non -life safety items will be completed, what is the problem? Lipton is concerned that an inflexible reputation will result. Chair Dalton asked for public comments. Rick Brew stated the subdivision controls many of the aspects to achieving completion. Building permits and CO's are withheld until public improvements are completed. Residential new construction is different than commercial /industrial permits. Russ stated TCO aren't ideal for the banks. The CO is an important document to transition into permanent financing or allowing a sale. Menaker stated he was aware of instances where CO has been held. Valid reasons to withhold a CO, however; anecdotally, we don't have a reputation of being easy to work with. Perhaps BRaD should visit with those who just built and bring comments back. Planning and Economic Development are preparing a questionnaire of development and building permit process. City Manager Fleming stated there is a different person to go to instead of directly to the Building Department when expectations aren't being met. Economic Development can be the advocate for the project. Planning can't pick and choose who to give incentives to. DeJong has been performing an advocacy role for the developer /contractor /tenant. Communicating DeJong's services to projects should be more pronounced.