Others Are Also Concerned

March 20, 2012

Members of Council
Town of Kearney
8 Main Street
Kearney, ON P0A 1M0

Dear Member of Council,

I am writing to the members of the Kearney Council today to see whether or not this Council is determined to help Kearney grow and prosper.

THE PROBLEM:
Stats Canada states that the population of Ontario increased by 19.5% between 1996 and 2011, and yet the population of Kearney increased by only 0.5%

The average age of Kearney residents in 2006 was 50.4.  The Ontario average is 39.0. (We need to attract young families and jobs.)

The percentage of new house construction that occurred between 1991-2006 was as follows:

Kearney     15.5%
Huntsville    24.7%
Ontario     20.6%

As you can see, construction in Kearney is below the Ontario average.  Given our proximity to Huntsville, Kearney should be much higher.  In the 2006-2011 timeframe, Kearney was still significantly behind Huntsville.

Also note that in 2006 (2011 stats not yet available), 1 in 5 houses in Kearney were in need of major repair.  The Ontario average for the same time period reports 1 in 15.

THE EVIDENCE:

As a citizen of Kearney and affiliated with several people in the construction industry, I’m hearing over and over again how difficult it is to build in Kearney.  The accessibility of the CBO has improved tremendously, however, we have a Chief Building Official whose reputation precedes him.  That alone has deterred some people from building.

A local real estate salesperson tells me that Kearney property values are decreasing, fewer people are looking at Kearney for their prospective property purchase, and contractors/homeowners are shying away from new construction.  All because of the difficulties surrounding building permits.

THE QUESTION:

Is this really the time to be raising building permit fees and making the building permit process more difficult?

THE SOLUTION:

Council needs to make building permits and the building permit process an affordable and pleasant experience instead of a barrier.

I understand the need to avoid lawsuits, however I believe the current CBO will only increase this possibility.  The CBO seems to be reviewing all open permits older than 12 months and forcing them to comply with the current building code.

If this is the case, I would like to propose that Council add an item to the next agenda and that is to implement an amnesty period of 12 months in order to close all open building permits.  Advertise on the website, in the next tax bill, in the newspaper, direct mail and any other means appropriate asking people with open building permits (or no building permits) to arrange for an appointment for final inspection.  These final inspections should keep in mind the building code that was in effect and other factors at the time of application.  Unless a building or project is structurally unsound, retrofits to meet the new building code will not be feasible for most people and therefore should be grandfathered in in order to close the permit. 

Failure to allow this grace period will result in lawsuits against both contractors and the Town, fewer new building permit applications in the future and will jeopardize the livelihood of several local contractors/businesses.

I understand that those who build without a permit need to be reprimanded.   Let’s not penalize and discourage the people who did their best to follow the requirement to get a building permit.

WHAT DOES A BUILDING PERMIT REPRESENT?

A 1000 square foot new dwelling in Kearney would result in:

1)    Permit fee revenue of $840
2)    Local contractor revenue of approximately $45,000
3)    Annual property tax revenue of approximately $850
4)    Local business revenues – restaurant, gas station, corner store – min. of $720 per year
5)    Increase in population of 2 – 3 people

Aren’t we better off cooperating with people who want to call Kearney their home?

Remember, the decisions you make will affect the future of the Town of Kearney, the reputation of the Town of Kearney, the livelihood of several businesses in Kearney and each individual taxpayer.
Failure to cooperate with Kearney taxpayers will only lead to ill-will and building without a permit.

Let’s start working together to create a growing and prosperous community.


Thank you for your consideration in adding this item to the next agenda.



Lynne Godfrey