Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building And Code Compliance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Owners of 3525 Roche Avenue told to file development-review application after use changed from accessory barn to commercial recreation
Summary
County staff told commissioners that the structure at 3525 Roche Avenue was originally permitted as a residential accessory pole-barn but has since changed to commercial recreational use; the owner and staff described steps required for a formal change-of-occupancy review and site improvements.
County staff and the owner of a property at 3525 Roche Avenue discussed how the structure — originally permitted and CO'd as a residential accessory pole barn — must be brought into compliance after a change of use to commercial recreational activities.
Why it matters: A change of occupancy can trigger development-review, site, access and accessibility requirements (parking, accessible bathrooms, stormwater and driveways) and potentially involvement by the city of Vernon when parcels sit inside municipal jurisdiction or joint planning areas.
Staff said the structure was permitted and issued a certificate of occupancy under a residential accessory permit. County building and planning staff reported that the property’s current activity constitutes a change in use and that a development-review application is required; staff have met with the owner’s engineer and are awaiting a formal application so they can check parking, stormwater, driveway access and accessibility features required by code. Building-department staff said the primary outstanding items once planning finishes their review will be accessible parking, accessible routes and restroom accessibility; a change of occupancy in the building code will trigger commercial requirements.
Owner Trey Hawkins said he has engaged engineers, secured a fire inspection and insurance inspection and that the facility is used for community youth recreation (baseball/hitting facility). He said the intent is community service and described volunteers and free use for school groups. Hawkins and commissioners discussed whether the matter remains under county purview or falls to the City of Vernon; staff said the site is under joint planning arrangements and the City of Vernon would have final action on development-review recommendations after county staff and the development-review committee review the application.
Commissioners emphasized the preference for handling code questions through the building and planning offices rather than raising them via county phone calls; staff repeatedly encouraged a formal application to begin the review process. No formal enforcement action was recorded at the meeting; staff said steps are underway and the owner indicated willingness to complete the process.
Ending: The owner and county staff agreed on next steps: the owner’s representatives are to complete and submit the development-review application and engineering documents so county planning and building staff can complete code review and forward any recommendation to the City of Vernon as required.
