1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW – MARCH 2014
a) File No. 14-008 DR – Design Review to construct warehouse building by US Metals on Industrial Way. The Planning Commission will hear this application on April 23.
b) File No. 14-009 DR – Design Review to change equipment at the cell tower located in Deer Pointe Subdivision. This application was approved.
2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY
a) Total value for the month was $1,076,531.
b) 5 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $1,016,776.
c) 0 permits for additions to single-family dwellings.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 4 commercial permits with a value of $38,855.
f) 5 other permits with a value of $20,900.
FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – Residential construction remained steady during March. Stonecreek development continues to lead as the busiest residential contractor, with 10 new homes under construction and completing 4 others in March. At the Snowberry subdivision, Vista Homes has a total of 7 homes being framed, 2 homes soon to be completed and 1 more that is ready for final occupancy. Hayden Homes has completed their Sales Home-Office at the west end of Sandy Bluff sub-division, has 6 new homes in various phases of construction, and also has 2 more plans waiting to issue. Jim Raze currently has 5 homes underway in Salmon Creek Estates and one more ready to issue. Taleisin Homes has 2 in progress. DA Gray had begun construction of a new home in Salmon Creek Estates. And Nails Construction is nearing completion of another new home on Ortiz Street, at the east end of Sandy.
Commercial plan reviews and permits issued in March included the Tamale Factory, 6 antennas on a cell tower, Sandy Express Wash, a demolition permit for the High School old shop building in preparation of converting the building into their data security center, and Bunsenbrewer applied for a permit to install new sinks and drains.
Wong King Chinese Restaurant has recently changed business owners and business name. The new name is GOLDEN KEY Chinese and American Restaurant. Economic Development Director, David Snider, and the Building Official discovered at an initial building safety inspection that the new owners had recently remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms. Several significant health and fire violations were identified, including the kitchen Type-1 hood being out of service and lack of adequate restrooms. Follow up inspections by the Fire Marshal, Don Patty and the Building Official revealed that the fire suppression system was dangerously out dated and had not been inspected in more than 15 years, if at all. The new owners are working hard to bring the equipment certification up to date.
Closing with a positive note, Police Chief, Kim Yamashita was the guest at the Bldg. Dept. Staff meeting in March. Discussion topics included business licenses, safety inspections, and code enforcement. It was agreed by all that the need for better communication should be one of our top priorities. Public Service handouts for the public have proven to be very helpful, especially when they are available at our City Website. For example, the new Business Guide and Safety Checklist have already proven useful for those seeking Commercial Certificates of Occupancy. The list of City adopted building codes and other design criteria has also been very helpful.
3) URBAN RENEWAL – We are currently soliciting bids from qualified contractors to complete three facade projects to the Wheatland Building, Sah Building, and Clackamas County Bank. The bid closing date is April 15, 2014 and I anticipate bringing a recommendation to the Urban Renewal Board to review on April 21.