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Council hears staff plan to negotiate residential inspection services, fee schedule and zoning review
Summary
Council discussed a proposed contract with a third‑party inspection provider (SafeBuilt), adjustments to the residential building fee schedule, and whether a single contractor should handle building, zoning and engineering review to streamline permitting; ordinances related to the contract and fees were on second reading.
Village staff updated the council on progress toward contracting building inspection and related services with an outside firm and on possible fee‑schedule changes.
Staff said they had met with two prospective firms and discussed whether the contracted provider should perform building inspections alone or also provide zoning review and planning pre‑submittal assistance. Staff reported discussions with both V3 (an engineering/inspection provider referenced in the meeting) and SafeBuilt (the vendor named in draft ordinance language) and said they would solicit an upfront price for zoning/planning review to compare options.
Related ordinances: the meeting included second‑reading discussion of an ordinance authorizing the village administrator to enter an agreement with SafeBuilt, Ohio LLC for residential building department services (Ordinance 2501) and an ordinance to amend the residential fee schedule (Ordinance 2502). A separate zoning/landscaping ordinance (described in the meeting as Ordinance 2503 amending planning and zoning landscaping standards) was also discussed as a recommendation from the tree commission. The transcript records the ordinances at second reading; the council did not take final votes during this meeting and noted additional planning and zoning review may be required before third reading and adoption.
Why it matters: staff and council members said a single contractor performing inspections and a limited zoning/planning pre‑review could reduce delays and provide clearer, consistent answers to applicants. Speakers noted current permitting confusion and lengthy turnaround for simple questions and suggested testing a single vendor approach to streamline processes.
Next steps: staff said they will obtain comparative upfront pricing for zoning/planning review from prospective vendors, consult SafeBuilt about a bundled approach, and return with a recommendation once planning and zoning has had a chance to review proposed changes.
