06.01-06.03 - Items from Planning Comm Report

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In your June meeting, the same latitude was granted for another citizen in which you recommended to Council that the After —The — Fact fee be waived. The City Council accepted this recommendation. I was informed via a letter dated 6/29/09 from Dawn Bittner that my request was being considered by the City Council at the same July meeting. I attended the July City Council meeting and my request was removed from the Agenda. Structure #2: There is a roof over our sawmill that includes one permanent wall on the North Side of the cement slab. The walls on the East & West side of the structure are tar paper that was tacked up to keep some of the wind out during the winter time. I can have the tar paper removed if the P &Z would like. I thought this structure was included in the initial plans that were submitted to the P &Z for our initial permit application. It was on a number of subsequent plans that we used during the construction process. We poured the concrete for this structure at the same time we poured the building. Once again, this was not an intentional act on my part. We went significantly over budget on the project by approximately $265,000. We ran out of money to finish some of the things that were supposed to be built in the Fall of 2007, so we had to delay building roof structure over the sawmill until the Spring of 2008. I am seeking clarification as to whether one wall and a roof is actually considered a "structure" by the City. I could not find it in your regulations. If you deem it to be a Structure, I would request that I pay the standard permit fee for a structure this size. This was not an intentional oversight and it falls within a "gray area" within the city ordinances. These are difficult economic times for a lot of businesses and our business is being challenged just like any other. There are furniture business closing left and right around the country. $3,000 is a lot of money to pay for an after the fact permit. I will take down the temporary structure if need be to avoid this fee, but it would not be the best use of our resources. My project has now been delayed by two months trying to work through these issues. This project could provide some much needed work for some local contractors and building supply companies. I have been openly vocal about some of the City's ordinances, policies, and methods. This no doubt that has not earned me any goodwill with your commission. We can agree to disagree on some of these issues. 1 would hope that you keep these issues. separate when considering this request. I respectfully request that you consider my proposal with an open -mind. Sincerely, Brandon L. Andersen President Lonesome Cottage Furniture Company