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Building inspector updates board on demolitions, bicentennial bathrooms and proposes three‑month demo permit term with higher fees
Summary
Building inspector Brian Shaw reported progress on several demolitions, said bicentennial park restrooms will open for the weekend, and proposed changing demo permits to three months and raising permit fees to better reflect city costs.
Building inspector Brian Shaw updated the Board of Public Works and Safety on demolition work, bicentennial bathroom repairs and proposed changes to demolition permit terms and fees.
Shaw reported three active demolition permits: work at 755 (accessory building) is roughly three-quarters complete, 849 East Street is substantially underway and 145 Lafayette Street requires final cleanup work with the property owner. Shaw said the permits are owner‑driven applications. He also reported the bicentennial-park restrooms will be open for the coming weekend after refurbishment and a ribbon-cutting of comfort-station refresh work.
Shaw proposed two program changes for board consideration: first, he would like demo permits to expire after three months (with the ability to request extensions for larger projects) to prevent permits from sitting open indefinitely; second, he proposed increasing demo permit fees (currently $20) to better cover administrative and inspection costs — recommending $100 for residential demolitions, $200 for commercial, and higher fees for very large buildings (for example, structures over 6,000 square feet). Shaw said these suggested changes match the range used by other communities and asked the board to direct staff to draft ordinance language if the board supports the concept. The mayor and board members asked staff to review existing ordinances and return recommendations; they noted ordinance changes would go to city council for final approval.
Shaw also described the recent completion of work at an unsafe accessory structure and confirmed two other demolition projects are continuing toward completion. Members thanked staff for persistence on longstanding blight cases and for progress on park facilities.
No formal ordinance changes were adopted at the meeting; Shaw asked staff direction to prepare proposed ordinance language and fee schedules for future board and council consideration.
