The District of Sooke has a three-month backlog for the issuance of building permits for single-family homes, says a local developer.
The backlog comes despite a plan in 2019 to reduce the time builders wait to get the necessary permits to build a house.
The districtB次元官网网址檚 2020 annual report stated the time to process permits improved by 36 per cent from 2019 to 2020, dropping from 68 days to 43 days. However, the district did not provide any updated figures.
The districtB次元官网网址檚 chief administrative officer, Norm McInnis, is expected to address the issue at MondayB次元官网网址檚 (Feb. 14) council meeting.
B次元官网网址淒espite councilB次元官网网址檚 efforts to rectify this situation, the problem hasnB次元官网网址檛 gone away,B次元官网网址� said Mayor Maja Tait, adding she is trying to determine whatB次元官网网址檚 hindering the process.
B次元官网网址淲hat have we adopted as a council that is causing this situation? If something new was done, can we explain the rationale, or if it didnB次元官网网址檛 work, letB次元官网网址檚 get rid of it.B次元官网网址�
Developer and former district councillor Herb Haldane initiated talks with the mayor and district three years ago to seek ways of reducing permit times.
He attributed the backlog to corporate culture and micro-managing.
In 2019, the district managed to get building permits issued in about a month. It now averages about two to three months, Haldane said. HeB次元官网网址檚 still waiting for a permit he applied for 2.5 months ago.
B次元官网网址淚t seems that every department in Sooke gets a kick at the building application, whether they need to or not. That doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen in other municipalities. There, the plans are only referred to a department if thereB次元官网网址檚 a need to do so.B次元官网网址�
Haldane also faults a building bylaw ratified by council in February 2020 that adds B次元官网网址渕ore onerousB次元官网网址� requirements for builders as the permit goes through various departments before getting approved.
B次元官网网址淲hat theyB次元官网网址檝e done is created a whole bunch of work for themselves by putting all this stuff in this new building bylaw,B次元官网网址� he said.
Tait said the building permit issue also adds to the lack of home supply and affordability in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淚 find it all very frustrating,B次元官网网址� she said.
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