Building department reports permit revenue uptick; DMT Capital and local projects moving slowly

The city's building department told the Board of Public Works that June permit revenue was $8,850 and year-to-date collections were nearly $32,000, about $2,000 higher than the same period last year. Department staff said most permit revenue is from the city rather than the county. Staff updated the board on several projects. DMT Capital—s West Jefferson work was reported to have completed state design review, allowing the city to issue a permit; the company is expected to seek a sign variance before the Board of Zoning Appeals. Staff said they have not yet received permit filings for a separate West Jefferson project handled by another entity and that some developers have faced internal and external challenges during design review. Staff also reported plans to place a building permit for a Kaufmann property (address discussed as 136 East Jones) in the current permit report, and that an open permit for that property had been renewed or replaced by a more recent permit this year. The department said they would schedule inspections to verify progress. Staff noted they had no agendas or petitions before the planning commission or BZA this month but expected at least one BZA hearing in the second half of August. Staff solicited applicants for a building inspector position and noted the office can provide permit reports broken down by city and county on request. The board raised questions about specific properties, including 822 Mill Street, and staff said they had contacted the property owner and found the site substantially cleaned up. No formal land-use approvals or variances were decided at the meeting; staff said forthcoming petitions and BZA hearings will return to the board when scheduled.