1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File 15-054 DR – Type II design review to construct a new Goodwill Industries building and a second tenant space retail building on the Ojai Lumber property.

b) File 16-001 DR – Type II design review to construct 18 apartment units on Meeker Street.

c) File 16-004 TEMP – Temporary Use Permit to allow the Sandy Fire District to use property on Industrial Way as a temporary operations center during remodeling at the fire station.

d) File 16-007 DR – Type III design review for facade improvements to the Maiden buildings located at the corner of Highway 26 and 362nd Ave.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $1,399,010.
b) 6 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $1,296,246.  
c) 4 permits for additions to single-family dwellings with a value of $40,600
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 2 commercial permits with a value of $2,164.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – No report submitted

3) URBAN RENEWAL – Activities this month have been pretty quiet on the urban renewal project front.

For my last report of the year I like to provide the City Council with an overview of Planning and Building related development activity for the past year.

2015 Summary

• 56 land use applications were submitted and reviewed or are currently under review (32 in 2014, 37 in 2013, 36 in 2012, 41 in 2011, 35 in 2010 and 32 in 2009).
• The most notable planning projects in 2015 included: Subdivision approval for the Idelman Park, Sandy Bluff Annex 5, and Zion Meadows Subdivisions.  Design Review approval for a 24 unit apartment complex (Doug Fir Apartments), Carlson Food Carts, a Tesla Motors charging station at Fred Meyer, Phase II Tupper Hill Apartments and annexation of Oja Lumber and Sandy Animal Clinic properties.
• 118 single family building permits were issued (83 in 2014, 74 in 2013, 32 permits in 2012, 32 permits in 2011, 45 in 2010 and 46 in 2009) with a value of $25,106,512.
• 20 single family addition permits were issued (25 in 2014, 27 in 2013, 31 permits in 2012, 22 permits in 2011, 13 in 2010 and 18 in 2009) with a value of $675,541.
• 76 commercial permits were issued (60 in 2014, 65 in 2013, 91 permits in 2012, 65 permits in 2011, 44 in 2010 and 32 permits in 2009) with a value of $4,607,362.
• Total value of all permits was $30,443,113 (2014 value = $19,530,452, 2013 value = 2012 value = $21,193,274, $17,609,886, 2011 value = $53,977,601, 2010 value = $41,305,292 and 2009 value = $14,091,921).

From Terre Gift, Building Official – December has surprised Sandy building contractors with a mixture of weather, from heavy rains, winter freezes, snow, to unusually mild temperatures.  New construction and remodel projects are dealing with the usual rain and mud.  Fortunately, there have been no reports of frozen water pipes or significant delays to construction other than the usual challenges.  The only delays reported were due primarily to Christmas and New Year Holidays.  Thankfully the mild weather that followed has allowed the builders to keep up a better-than-expected pace so far into 2016.

There are 54 new homes being constructed in Sandy.   Hayden Homes has a total of 13 homes in the Sandy Bluff development.  Villa Vista Homes currently has total of 14 new homes under construction. Gibson Homes has 8 townhomes underway.  Raasch Construction and West Ridge Homes each have 4 homes under construction.  Richard Haggerty is building 3 new homes, and his father, Ron Haggerty, has 2 homes underway.  Wolverine Construction, Raze Custom Homes, Oregon Custom Homes, Cashatt Construction and Alan Seymor, are currently building one home each. There were 4 commercial remodel projects started in December, including a new doctor’s office opening next to Block Buster Video in the space formerly occupied by the Magic Bean Bistro.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File 15-048 SUB – Staff is currently reviewing an application to create a new six lot subdivision at the northwest corner of Bluff Road and Olson Road.

b) Rile 15-054 DR – Staff received an application from Goodwill Industries to construct a new store and a second tenant space retail building on the Ojai Lumber property.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $1,998,330.
b) 9 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $1,975,230.  
c) 0 permits for additions to single-family dwellings.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 5 commercial permits with a value of $23,100.

Through November we have had 111 residential buildings permits for the year.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – November construction and remodel projects were slower paced due in large part to the poor fall weather.   Hayden Homes has 13 new homes in various phases of construction.  Villa Vista Homes at Snowberry Subdivision completed five homes in November, and has 10 homes under construction. Gibson Homes has completed four town houses and has four more under construction.  Jerry Gravell Construction completed the last of four new townhouses.  Jim Raze had two new homes under way in November, not counting the custom home he completed in Salmon creek estates.  Raasch Construction has five homes in progress.   Richard Haggerty Construction and Ron Haagerty have five new homes underway, all totaled.

Commercial activities were varied, with nothing outstanding.  However, the single most important inspections conducted this year were for 25 units at Firwood Apartments, that were given final occupancy approval.  Out of 106 smoke detectors, we discovered one bedroom that never had a smoke detector, three that were non-functioning, and three that were covered with plastic – left over from Halloween decorations 1 week before.

3) URBAN RENEWAL – Activities this month have been pretty quiet on the urban renewal project front.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-046 DR – Staff approved a design review to allow Johnson RV to install new lighting on the existing site.

b) Files 15-048 SUB – Staff received an application to create a new six lot subdivision at the corner of Bluff Road and Olson Road.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $2,061,527.
b) 7 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $1,632,538.  
c) 3 permits for additions to single-family dwellings with a value of $46,846.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 11 commercial permits with a value of $350,625.

Through September we have had 102 residential buildings permits for the year.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – The number of residential inspections has slowed somewhat in October, mainly due to Hayden Homes holding their plan submittals until the end of the month.  Based upon the number of new residential permits issued and the number of plans submitted for review in October, we can safely expect to see a steady number of new homes to be constructed going into winter.  Commercial inspections continued to be slower than previous.

Hayden Homes and Vista Homes continued to lead as the busiest residential contractors, with each having 13 homes under construction.  Gibson Homes was able to complete 2 of their 8 townhomes in October.  West Ridge Homes and Raasch Construction have a total of 7 homes under way, with the same  project manager/builder.  Jerry Gravell completed one townhouse, and has 3 more townhomes before he is finished on Balken Avenue.  Richard Hagerty and Ron Hagerty (son and father with separate companies) have a 5 homes in total under construction   Kevin Cashatt completed the last of his 3 homes, and Jim Raze construction completed his custom home this past month – both are located in Salmon Creek estates.   Raze construction is also progressing quickly with another home on American street.  And Wolverine Construction was successful in completing their custom home on American street before the end of the month.

All of the builders have expressed frustration in scheduling sub-contractors due to the high volume of homes being built in the entire region.  The challenge of scheduling work and the lack of available subcontractors still remains the greatest challenge the builders complain about.    In addition to the new construction, there is about half a dozen residential remodels currently underway.

Of special enjoyment in October was giving final approval of the Tennis Court storage rooms and gazebo at the Sandy High School, and the final approval of the attractive home located at 15139 Sunflower by Ron Hagerty.

15139 Sunflower Ave.

3) URBAN RENEWAL – Activities this month have been pretty quiet on the urban renewal project front.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-034 DR – Staff approved a design review to allow the La Bamba Mexican Restaurant to move from their current location to the corner of Pleasant and Strauss.

b) Files 15-035, 036, and 037 – Staff approved three adjustments to three separate lots in the Sandy Bluff 6 subdivision.

c) Files 15-039 and 040 – Staff approved two property line adjustments to resolve encroachments associated with the Idelman Park subdivision at the corner of Meinig and Hood.

d) File 15-043 – Staff approved a temporary use permit to allow use of a portion of the former Sandy Lumber Yard lot to be used by a local fence contractor.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $5,152,211.
b) 8 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $1,675,035.  
c) 1 permit for an addition to a single-family dwelling with a value of $5,300.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 11 commercial permits with a value of $3,471,378.

Through September we have had 95 residential buildings permits for the year.  This number exceeds the yearly total for each year back to and including 2008.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – No Building Report Submitted.

3) URBAN RENEWAL – Activities this month have been pretty quiet on the urban renewal project front.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-031 DR – Staff approved a 24 unit apartment complex located on Vista Loop Drive.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $612,529.
b) 1 permit for a single family dwelling with a value of $253,365.  
c) 1 permit for an addition to a single-family dwelling with a value of $13,012.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 3 commercial permits with a value of $345,852.

Through August we have had 87 residential buildings permits for the year.  This number exceeds the yearly total for each year back to and including 2008.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – While the number of residential inspections remained steady, the number of new residential permits decreased slightly and the number of plans submitted also decreased.  Hayden Homes and Vista Homes continued to lead as the busiest residential contractors.  Hayden Homes has 14 homes scheduled for completion in September and is about to excavate for another block of homes.  Vista Homes has slowed their pace somewhat due to 2 other developments underway and not enough sub-contractors.  In fact, all the builders have expressed frustration in scheduling sub-contractors due to the high volume of homes being built in the entire region.   Jerry Gravell is more than 50% completed with his last 4 townhomes.  Cashatt Construction is nearing completion of his 3rd home on Ichabod.  Jim Raze construction is nearing completion of  his home in Salmon Creek estates. In addition to the new construction, there is about half a  dozen residential remodels currently underway.

Commercial activities remained active in September.  The Cedars Laundromat has officially opened.   The establishment boasts all new machines that are the most efficient in the industry and are monitored remotely on line.  The place has been very active and is open every day. Three years after opening, the Sandy High School has obtained their Certificate of Occupancy.  There had been several small items, and one larger one that needed to be completed.  The Fire Department Connection (FDC) for the building is located at the southwest corner of the building.  It is a 8 inch pipe with 2 hose connections that normally has red, tamper-resistant covers.  The covers had been missing for more than a year.  We required that the high school camera the line to verify that nothing had been dropped into the FDC and might block the line in the event of a fire.  Upon inspection, sure enough there was a trash bag from someone’s school lunch was at the bottom of the riser, and most surely would have caused a serious problem.

Lastly, Clackamas County and the City of Sandy has been in discussion to update coordination of permitting and inspections and through inter-governmental agreement.  All Electrical permits and inspections are provided by Clackamas County, as authorized by Oregon Building Codes Division.  (The Building, Energy, Mechanical, and Plumbing permits and inspections are provided by the City of Sandy Building Department.   Our goal is to provide all permitting and inspections through the City of Sandy within the next 5 years

3) URBAN RENEWAL – Activities this month have been pretty quiet on the urban renewal project front.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-027 ANN and 15-028 ANN – The City Council will be reviewing two island annexations on the August 17th meeting.

b) File No. 15-026 MOD and 15-029 MOD – Staff approved minor modifications to the Birdsong and Brittani Heights subdivisions.

c) File No. 15-030 DR – Staff is reviewing a request by Jerry Carlson to establish a food cart pod on the property formerly containing La Torta Caliente restaurant.

d) File No. 15-031 DR – Staff has started the review process for a 24 units apartment complex located on Vista Loop Drive.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $2,475,441.
b) 11 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $2,406,139.  
c) 4 permits for addition to single-family dwellings with a value of $16,779.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 8 commercial permits with a value of $52,223.

Through July we have had 87 residential buildings permits for the year.  This number exceeds the yearly total for each year back to and including 2008.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – 

3) URBAN RENEWAL – Activities this month have been pretty quiet on the urban renewal project front.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-019 SUB/VAR – Type III, 4 lot subdivision between Therese Street and Dubarko Road.  The commission approved this application in June.

b) File No. 15-008 SUB/VAR – Type III, 39 lot subdivision just south of the Bornstedt Park.  The Planning Commission approved this application at their June meeting.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $2,125,690.
b) 11 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $2,107,790.  
c) 0 permits for additions to a single-family dwellings.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 3 commercial permits with a value of $9,800.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – Summer-like spring weather helped construction June, the City of Sandy saw a significant increase in the number of Single-Family (SFR) permits issued, as well as an increase in the number of smaller residential and commercial projects.   Eleven (11) new SFR permits were issued for a declared value of 2.1 million dollars, and 5 permits in other categories were also issued.

Residential building in Sandy is the busiest it has been in the past 5 years, with 73 active permits in June, which includes, Hayden Homes as the most active builder with 29 homes in progress and 3 finaled.   TJ Veeker of Villa Vista Homes currently has 18 homes in progress.  Gibson homes has permits for 8 townhouses.  Jerry Gravo has 4 new townhouses under construction.  Kevin Cashatt has 2 home permits active.   Raze Construction, Ron Haggerty, Wolverine Construction, Richard Haggerty Construction, Raasch Contruction, Ernie Jette and Stonecreek Development all have one or more homes under construction.

3) URBAN RENEWAL – We are currently evaluating buildings eligible for facade enhancement projects.  Tracy presented regarding the Sandy Facade Enhance Program at the Oregon City/County Management Association conference in Bend.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-019 SUB/VAR – Type III, 4 lot subdivision between Therese Street and Dubarko Road.  The commission will review this in June.

b) File No. 15-008 SUB/VAR – Type III, 39 lot subdivision just south of the Bornstedt Park.  The Planning Commission will review this at their June meeting.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $3,459,619.
b) 15 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $3,348,719.  
c) 1 permit for an addition to a single-family dwellings with a value of $35,000.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 5 commercial permits with a value of $74,900.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – report to come

3) URBAN RENEWAL – The first phase of wayfinding signage has been installed.  We are still fine tuning the installation but I believe it has been noticeable and is looking good.

1) APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED/UNDER REVIEW 

a) File No. 15-012 SUB/VAR – Type III, 8 lot subdivision west of Jewelberry Ave.  The commission will review this in May.

b) File No. 15-008 SUB/VAR – Type III, 39 lot subdivision just south of the Bornstedt Park.  The Planning Commission will review this at their June meeting.

2) BUILDING DIVISION ACTIVITY 

a) Total value for the month was $2,988,966.
b) 13 permits for single family dwellings with a value of $2,918,697.  
c) 1 permit for an addition to a single-family dwellings with a value of $2,500.
d) 0 duplexes.
e) 10 commercial permits with a value of $59,769.

FROM TERRE GIFT, BUILDING OFFICIAL – In spite of the unpredictable weather experienced in April, the City of Sandy saw a significant increase in the number of Single-Family (SFR) permits issued, as well as an increase in the number of smaller residential and commercial projects.

Residential projects: Hayden Homes remains the most active builder with 3 homes finaled and 9 more in progress.   Villa Vista Homes at Snowberry subdivision finaled 3 homes in April and currently has 8 in progress.   Stonecreek Development finaled 1 home and had 2 others under construction.   Raze Construction is building 1 home in Salmon Creek Estates..

The number of Townhouses being constructed has risen.  Jerry Gravell finaled 4 townhouses in April and has 4 more cleared to start foundations.   Ed Wagoner is progressing thru various stages of construction on 5 townhouses, with one nearing completion.  In addition, TJ Veeker of Villa Vista Homes has new 6 Townhomes framed and 7 completed.

Of special interest in April was the final inspection for a new beauty shop on Pioneer BLvd. called, “A PLACE FOR YOUR FACE.”  The new owner has done a terrific job in renovating the space.  Another project was the repair of the building sewer line under the O’Reilly Auto Parts store, which clears the way for the new laundry mat to be added to the sewer system.  Lastly, the Sandy High School Tennis Club has nearly completed their new buildings, which are almost ready for final inspection and approval.  (Only ADA access into the buildings, and roof gutters and downspouts appear to be missing.)   In all, April was a busy month, and summer has yet to really begin!

3) URBAN RENEWAL – The first phase of wayfinding signage has been installed.  We are still fine tuning the installation but I believe it has been noticeable and is looking good.