5.2. SR 06-10-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Item # 5.2. MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Stephen Rohlf, Building and Zoning Administrator DATE: June 10,2002 SUBJECT: Request by the City of Elk River for Ordinance Amendment; Section 900 Regarding Building Permit Escrows Requirements P.H. - Case No. OA 02-02b At their April 15, 2002 meeting, the Council tabled an ordinance amendment that required escrows for non-safety items left unfinished when a certificate of occupancy (C.O.) is requested. Unfinished yards are a common complaint from adjacent residents, which consumes a lot staff time. The Planning Department also has a great deal of trouble getting compliance on issues at commercial facilities. Currently the city has the ability to require an escrow for up to 50% of the value of the unfinished landscaping when a C.O. is requested. Landscaping is currently the only item that may be left unfinished prior to a C.O. being issued, except for grading in the winter months. The Council wanted input from builders prior to adopting this ordinance change. City staff has talk to several residential builders. The typical response is that the ordinance will not affect them. If an improvement is their responsibility (i.e. grass), they have to have it completed at closing anyway or escrow for the unfinished work. Under the new ordinance it will typically be the homeowner who will be escrowing money for improvements that are their responsibility. The builders indicated that they need to know what the escrow requirement is at the front end of the project. If the ordinance is passed, staff will place notice of the new requirements in with each building permit. There are a couple of distinct advantages with the new language: Compliance - The 100% escrow amount (more money at stake) makes compliance more likely, without lots of staff follow up time.