City leaders intend to put some teeth into enforcing building codes and inspections when it comes to new businesses within the community. The city council said it has noticed some abuse of the current system when it comes to adhering to zoning, ordinances and permits.
The Board of Mayor and Aldermen said it is frustrated with some new businesses arriving within the city limits that are not adhering to the approvals granted by both the city’s planning and zoning board, as well as the building department.
City leaders said, often, once a new business receives approval to proceed with construction, renovations or other permit-related orders, the applicant takes a whole other direction with their project.
Alderman Charlie Jenkins said he has concerns over some applicants receiving a variance to place a commercial entity within a residential area. Although the applicant is granted a variance by the planning and zoning board, he said the final project does not match with what was presented to the appropriate boards.
One incident the city council brought to the table was the variance granted to an applicant to use a lot within a residential area to store vehicles on Twelfth Street. However, the lot is now being used as a mechanic shop, much to the dismay of the surrounding residents.
“They go to these boards, and they tell them they are going to do one specific thing,” Jenkins said. “Then it turns out, you will have four to five different businesses there. Within a residential neighborhood, I understand the zoning board will rezone that spot. But if somebody turns around and builds something different or illegally, what happens? You can’t just build it first, then get a permit.”
Board Attorney Lilli Evans-Bass said if the applicant does not acquire the necessary documentation or adhere to what was approved, the applicant should be provided with a time frame to conform or be shut down.
“Moving forward, this is fair warning,” said Mayor David Starling. “We are going to have to ask specific questions of these individuals.”
“If it is no longer conforming to whatever they got the permit for, a stop work order is posted at that time,” added Evans-Bass.
Starling requested that Richard Patterson, the city’s building inspector, monitor the progress of all applicants who receive specific permits or approval from the planning and zoning board.
“You are to monitor what is going on,” Starling said, to Patterson. “If it is veering off of what was agreed upon then a stop work order should be given.”
Alderman Jammie McCoy added that utilities should also not be provided until all criteria is met.
