At their meeting tonight, West Hollywood City Council will review two ordinances that would establish a process for renewing expired building permits, specifically targeting development projects that are near completion.
The introduction of these ordinances comes in response to the challenges faced by several development projects.
Under the current Building Code, a building permit expires if construction has not commenced within 12 months of issuance or if the project has been suspended or abandoned for 180 days, or if required inspections are not obtained within another 180-day period. This situation necessitates restarting the permit process, including new plan checks, which can be costly and time-consuming, especially if projects are near completion and need to comply with new building codes.
The proposed Urgency Ordinance requires a 4/5 vote from the City Council for immediate enactment. It is designed to expedite the renewal of expired permits, aiding projects that have already shown considerable progress. The accompanying regular ordinance, requiring a majority vote, follows the same terms and will undergo a public hearing on April 1, 2024, as part of its formal adoption process.
These ordinances are not only a response to local concerns but also align with practices in other jurisdictions, such as the County of San Diego, which have implemented similar renewal processes. They address the issues of unfinished structures that pose safety risks and become blights in the community, attracting dangers such as fires and squatting by unhoused individuals.
The renewal process stipulated in the ordinances includes several conditions to ensure that projects meet city standards and contribute positively to community welfare. These conditions encompass:
- No modifications to the original approved plans and specifications.
- Successful passage of all necessary frame and rough inspections, with all interior and exterior finish work inspected and completed.
- Submission of a designated project contractor and designer(s) of record.
- Payment of a renewal fee set at half the cost of a new permit.
- Regular progress demonstrations through valid inspections every 180 days.
- Concurrent extension of associated permits, like electrical and plumbing, with appropriate fees paid.
The renewal must show substantial progress and is capped at a maximum validity of three years from the date of issuance. If a renewal permit expires, no further extensions are granted, compelling the applicant to start anew.
Yes please. With skyrocketing costs and current interest rates, many projects have completely stalled. Once these projects are approved and building demolished, we need to get construction done as expeditiously as possible.
This would be a step forward.