Developers and homeowners in Astoria who need city building permits will be interested to know that the city is contemplating code changes to allow permits to extend for two years instead of one.
"We’re looking in this day and age at how much time it takes to get planning approval to construct a project," said Brett Estes, Astoria community development director. "We’re hearing that it’s becoming more difficult to do that within a one-year period. People need additional time to do substantial construction; we’re looking at ways not to have applicants always having to come back."
Estes said the city was discussing the issue of permit extensions even before the recession, and it can be of greater concern since the economy has slowed.
"We need to rewrite our code in terms of what is right for our community, for when times are good and not so good," he said. "What is fair and equitable for people who are adding on to their house or the developer who is doing a project in town? How do we ensure that?"
Estes said the planning commission wants to give people with construction projects enough time to get everything done, but they’re also seeking balance in any new code that’s enacted.
"We also want to make it fair and equitable to the neighborhood and the community," he said.
According to a memo issued by the city in October, approved land permits are valid for only one year and must be renewed at a public hearing if substantial construction has not occurred. There are also no specific criteria in the development code regarding renewal review.
At CRBJ press time, a final work session about draft code amendments was to be held on Oct. 27, and officials anticipate that planning commission and city council public hearings will be held before the end of the year and in early 2010.
Astoria City Code is available on the city’s Web site at www.astoria.or.us