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Crafton property owner objects to new requirement for commercial structural drawings; council to research options
Summary
A Crafton property owner asked council to waive a borough requirement for structural blueprints for the American Legion building; borough staff said the request is triggered by a change in use and state inspection rules and staff will check for existing plans, liability-waiver options and possible tax-abatement help.
During the public-comment period on May 8, property owner Robert C. Wolbert Jr. said he had been asked to provide structural blueprints to obtain permits for the former American Legion building and asked council to waive the requirement or otherwise reduce the owner’s cost. Wolbert said producing the drawings would cost thousands of dollars and said the need for the plans was not flagged before he purchased the building.
Borough staff and council responded that the structural drawings requirement arises when a commercial building’s “use” changes or when multiple tenants are proposed. Staff explained that when the state Department of Labor and Industry stopped directly performing commercial building inspections in about 2007, municipalities became responsible for enforcing building code requirements and ensuring a set of plans is on file for commercial permits. Staff said the borough cannot issue a commercial building permit without the required drawings if the change of use triggers that requirement.
Staff offered several near-term steps: search borough records to see whether plans already exist for the building; determine whether a liability waiver is an available option; and explore whether a tax-abatement or other assistance is feasible to reduce the owner’s out-of-pocket cost. Councilmember(s) suggested adding the issue to a future agenda so staff can report back on whether the borough has any discretion to waive the requirement or to offer temporary financial relief. The borough also said it will rename its current “occupancy permit” paperwork to a clearer “sales inspection permit” so future buyers are more likely to see potential permit requirements earlier in a sale process.
No waiver was granted at the May 8 meeting. Staff will follow up with the owner and return to council with the results of a records search and options for council consideration.
