Beacon Redevelopment Industrial Corp (BCND)

[nupapa]

Interesting article today about UCC enforcement in Hempfield. Note the bold item, because that's what has happened to us:

Tribune-Review

Hempfield names code enforcer

By Richard Gazarik
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Hempfield hired a company Monday to administer and enforce the state's Uniform Construction Code, but none of the supervisors was very happy about having to enforce the law in the township.

The board hired Code Enforcement Associates, which will train township employees to conduct their own inspections.

The UCC will become law in the township next month. The ordinance passed last night will set fees for building inspections -- 50 cents per square foot for residential structures, $1 per square foot for commercial.

Solicitor Les Mlakar said the state adopted the construction code in 1999, and it went into effect in 2000. Hempfield had until 2004 to decide whether to enforce the code or allow the state to assume that responsibility.

The township voted to opt out requiring residents and builders to hire a private company or allow the state to conduct inspections. Hempfield has not realized any of the permit fees over the past several years while residential and commercial construction was on the rise.

Chairman John Silvis voted against the proposal, calling it "too intrusive and bureaucratic." Silvis said the township decided to resume enforcement because of the potential for increased revenue.

The state Department of Labor and Industry has not been able to conduct all the inspections in Hempfield on a timely basis, causing months of delays in projects and complaints from builders and contractors, Manager Kurt Ferguson said.

Ferguson said businesses that wanted to build in Hempfield complained the state took too long to approve permits and conduct the inspections. He promised by having the UCC enforced locally, a project "will not sit six, eight or 10 weeks."

Supervisor Doug Weimer doesn't like the UCC but prefers enforcement rest locally, so there is some oversight.

"The code is here already, but it's under the purview of the state," he said. "Local control is more important. Local control is the best answer for Hempfield Township."

Weimer said he's received a number of complaints over the years about construction projects, but the township was helpless to act because the state oversaw the permit and inspection process.

Supervisor Bob Davidson said he also favors township control.

"Under the circumstances, I feel it's extremely important. Hempfield -- a growing community -- suffered from not having local control over development. This is the way to go."

Supervisor John Bossi said he wants the state to revise the UCC to lessen the rules and make some exceptions for different-sized municipalities.

"Our state lawmakers have to step in," he said.

Richard Gazarik can be reached at [e-mail] or 724-830-6292.