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County to extend deadlines for contruction permit holders

By Sam Womack/Staff Writer/swomack@syvnews.com

The Board of Supervisors set the ball in motion Tuesday to give a break to construction permit holders in Santa Barbara County who are struggling in an economic recession.

Once someone is approved for a building permit, the clock starts ticking and many potential developers are running out of time.

For example, a development plan is good for five years.

A conditional-use permit expires in 18 months.

The county currently offers a one-year time extension, but the associated costs could balloon to about $2,000 or more, said Dianne Black, interim county Planning and Development Department director.

If the permit is not used before the expiration date, then the often expensive and time-consuming process for approval will begin all over again.

Under the proposed ordinance amendment, which could go into effect as early as Aug. 14, permit holders could pay an estimated $300 and get a two-year time extension if they show “good cause.”

The ordinance amendment would expire in January 2012, unless the Board of Supervisors sees fit to renew it at that time.

On Tuesday, four of the supervisors approved the first reading of the proposed ordinance; Supervisor Joe Centeno left the meeting early citing an appointment.

The ordinance requires majority approval of the second reading, and then it will come into effect 30 days later.

In another economically related subject, the supervisors postponed a discussion on what could be seen as help for renters.

The proposal would amend a county ordinance, and require landlords or rental-property owners to pay relocation benefits to renters if a severe building-code violation forces them to vacate.

The potentially volatile item will be on the agenda for the July 14 board meeting, but time constraints may prevent the subject from being discussed. The next scheduled supervisors’ hearing beyond next week’s date is August 18.

In a separate matter, the board agreed to change public noticing for building and land-use permit applications.

Notices will now be larger and more apparent when posted in the affected area, and neighbors will be mailed notices earlier in the process.

“This is going to save the community and applicants so much time and money and angst and complications,” said 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr. “Any issues will get resolved up front” before too much money is spent in staff time.