Planning Knows

Planning was one of the busiest departments following Hurricane Ivan, dealing with a deluge of homeowners seeking permits and roof inspections to facilitate electricity reconnections. In a matter of days after the hurricane, the Building Control Unit accordingly prepared a pamphlet with information on proper roof construction techniques and enlisted volunteer building inspectors to supplement their overtaxed staff.

At this point in time however, the Planning Department is asking homeowners to take the time before rebuilding to get guidance from Planning on ways to make their homes safer in the event of another hurricane. “Many people who are now rebuilding have been living elsewhere since Ivan and have just received their insurance money. We are asking them to come to Planning first and get a full plan review for their repairs,” said Assistant Director of Planning, Ron Sanderson.

“Homeowners who are ready to rebuild are asked to bring in construction details: for example, how the roof will be built and where hurricane straps will be attached to walls. Our department is very experienced and is adept at giving advice for making roofs and other parts of the home safer,” Mr. Sanderson explained.

The department also continues to help homeowners by expediting permits for rebuilding: “A basic house that was damaged by Ivan will usually get planning approval in a couple of days,” said Mr. Sanderson. Also of help to homeowners is the 50% reduction in planning fees approved by Cabinet for those rebuilding after Ivan.

When permits are delayed it is often due to issues in the application concerning coastal development. “After the hurricane if we simply allowed the rebuilding of some developments they wouldn’t comply with today’s standards. We initially discussed automatically giving ‘grandfather’ clauses to these cases but we have decided that each application concerning coastal development should be discussed with the Central Planning Authority before approval,” said Mr. Sanderson.

Before rebuilding, call or visit the Planning Department at Grand Pavilion, on West Bay Road, or call 769-PLAN (7526).