Building department reports July construction up from commercial projects; inspections backlog easing with new hire

Richard Nelson of the Medina County Building Department presented the July report, saying commercial activity boosted the month and the year-to-date total was about 7% under last year’s value. Nelson reported 35 new home starts in July and 225 home starts year-to-date, about 10 below average; he said total new-home value for July was $438,000 and year-to-date new-home value was about $4.35 million. He also said the department issued commercial permits in July with an estimated value of over $11 million. Nelson told the board the department has accepted an electrical inspector application that is being processed and could begin in about a week, which he said will “help us out a lot” and ease the inspection backlog. The report will be posted online later in the day, he said. Commissioners did not ask for additional detail during the meeting.