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Homeowner says two‑year carport fight 'a 2‑year ordeal'; board accepts $500 settlement
Summary
After months of back‑and‑forth with the building department, the owner of 11638 NE 7th Ave told the board he spent significant time and money securing an after‑the‑fact permit; the board rejected a $200 offer and accepted $500 to resolve outstanding fines, setting a Dec. 19 payment deadline.
The board devoted extended time on Nov. 19 to a contentious fine‑reduction request tied to an after‑the‑fact carport permit at 11638 Northeast 7th Avenue (case CEN24‑21).
Owner Patrick Cohen described repeated plan revisions and long reviews by the building department. He said he spent more than $1,300 and numerous hours bringing plans into compliance and that the process had become “a 2‑year ordeal.” Staff described a large accrued balance that included daily fines and administrative costs; they recommended a substantially higher amount than the owner’s offer.
Board members pressed on two themes: the amount of staff time invested in repeated reviews, and the difference between a violation fine and administrative costs. One board member said staff time and the length of the case justified a higher amount, while others noted the owner’s cooperation and the unusual complexity of the structural review. After the board rejected the owner’s initial $200 offer, the owner countered and the board ultimately accepted a $500 payment to resolve the matter; the motion passed and the payment is due Dec. 19.
The exchange highlighted a recurring issue raised elsewhere in the meeting: multiple speakers complained that protracted back‑and‑forth between applicants and the building department has prolonged cases and increased staff workloads. Several board members said they factor those costs into fine calculations and reductions.
The board’s action resolves the carport case for now but left open the broader procedural question of whether the municipality should set caps on daily fines or change administrative practices for long‑running permit reviews. The board asked staff to continue coordinating with the building official where permit reviews have created long delays.
