The following is a brief summary of significant issues impacting the design and construction community, on which the Building-Development Commission (BDC) and the Code Enforcement Department have focused during the period July through September, 2009. Further details on each of these follow:
- Department Reorganization
- Low Voltage Permits
- Accessibility Code transition
- AE Pass Rate Incentives program status and timeline
- Self Gatekeeping transition
- Green Permits Rebate program update
1. Department Reorganization
As a response to the Fy09 and Fy10 budget challenges, the Department launched a study last spring to review the appropriateness of our current organizational structure in terms of both service efficiency and effectiveness. A Reorganization Task Force comprised of both staff and industry members considered a wide array of issues from April through August. Ultimately, a plan advancing an innovative approach to certain permitting and inspection service aspects was favored by Department leadership. Through September and October Department leadership met with staff and over 200 customers in 10 public presentations, to discuss the 727 Reorganization Plan. Both the BDC and County upper management have indicated strong support for the 727 Reorganization Plan, consequently, the Department is moving forward with detail development of the strategy. An overview of the proposal, along with a series of FAQ’s documenting both staff and customer concerns may be reviewed on www.meckpermit.com.
• It merits noting that after the 1st quarter of Fy10, revenue and service demand continues at pre-2004 level; revenue totaling $3.21M, permits totaling 16,735 and inspections totaling 48,311.
• Service level remains high, with both inspections response time (97%) and pass rate (86%) at historic highs, and very favorable plan review booking lead times.
2. Low Voltage Permits
This regards an existing permit requirement, which some electrical contractors no longer wish to umbrella in their permits. The Department held two meetings in September with customers and BDC members. Meeting attendees identified specific concerns as; supporting technology, inspection coordination, and clear installation requirements with visual support. Staff is currently working to address all of those concerns. In addition, we are developing a public information strategy with the County Public Service and Information, to assure customers understand the related low voltage permit requirements.
3. Accessibility Code transition
The new NC Accessibility Code became effective with the General Assembly’s August 11 adjournment. The NC Building Code Council set a transition period through December 31, 2009, during which time either code may be used.
• This code change aligns North Carolina’s accessibility code format with the national model 2006 IBC, including a small set of amendments for requirements peculiar to NC
• Note that North Carolina’s NCSBC 2009 chapter 11, references the 2003 A 117.1. Chapter 11 is included in the NCSBC 2009 code book that many Architects and Engineers have purchased.
Design professionals should note that the new NC Accessibility Code format provides at least the same level of regulation as the old NC Volume 1-C Accessibility Code, however, since it also provides safe harbor with the Federal Fair Housing Act and is substantially comparable to the pending new ADA-ABA, many requirements go beyond the old NC Accessibility Code. Hence design professionals should take care to assure the accessibility regulations on their project
4. AE Pass Rate Incentives program status and timeline
Over the last year, the Department worked with representatives appointed by Professional Engineers of North Carolina (PENC) and AIA Charlotte, on a program which scores plan review submittals on a pass/fail basis, assigning benefits for high performing AE’s, as well as hurdles for poor performers. Introduced along with expanded Approved As Noted and Interactive Review, AE Pass Rate Incentives is now in a 6 month data collection period, during which the Department builds a historic data base to support the program and test the accuracy of related reports. The full program start is set for 1/1/2010.
On September 17, Department representatives met with 30 members of AIA Charlotte, fielding member concerns over the fairness of the program and the need to grade design professionals. Department and BDC AE representatives have discussed these concerns at length and are scheduled to hold a return meeting with the concerned AIA Charlotte members on December 1.
5. Self-Gatekeeping transition
On July 1, 2009 the Department replaced the Gatekeeping service with an electronic Self-Gatekeeping tool. This change requires all submitting AE’s to confirm in writing that they have used the self-gatekeeping auto checklist to verify their project has the appropriate content and is ready for submission. As part of the program startup, the Department worked with local AE’s to revise the gatekeeping checklist content to support the new Self-Gatekeeping tool. The program is running smoothly. Additional information on the program may be obtained on the Department website page:
http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/LUESA/CodeEnforcement/Commercial+Building/Gatekeeper+Checklist.htm
6. Green Permits Rebate (GPR) program update
We’ve recently seen a large increase in activity in the GPR program. Two projects are complete, totaling $7200 in rebate payouts by the Department. In addition, we have 22 applications outstanding in the program, which represents $274K in rebates pending. Interested customer should note GPR program funding is a finite amount, with a balance available to fund future GPR applications of $819,000.
© 2008
