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Council adopts local construction board of appeals to process building code disputes and citations
Summary
The council adopted Resolution No. 6841 to create a local Construction Board of Appeals that will hear alternate materials and methods requests, administrative citation appeals, and housing appeals. Building Official Michael Lowe said the change responds to developer feedback and would increase transparency; council approved the resolution 5–0 and directed staff to return in January with appointments and a fee schedule.
Building and Safety Manager Michael Lowe presented a resolution to create a local Construction Board of Appeals to hear technical disputes and alternate materials/methods requests. Lowe said the move responds to community feedback and ad hoc committee recommendations and would make appeals more transparent and industry‑accessible.
"This is an opportunity to optimize that process," Lowe said, noting the board would hear appeals under Title 15 and review administrative citations and housing appeals. Lowe said typical members would include architects, engineers, contractors or retired building officials, and that the city would advertise and nominate members with a goal of appointments in January and the first meeting by April. Staff also proposed a scalable appeal fee structure and refunding fees if appellants prevail.
Council discussed equity and qualifications for the board and asked staff to ensure outreach to community members and to consider diverse membership that includes lived experience. Council asked staff to bring back bylaws, fee analysis and an appointments approach. The council adopted the resolution on a 5–0 vote.
Why it matters: A local appeals board centralizes technical decisions, could speed dispute resolution, and provides a formal forum for interpretation of building code provisions in Lompoc.
