The Archuleta County Board of County Commissions (BoCC) held a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 20, in which the BoCC invited builders and developers in the county to provide input on the county’s Development Services Department on areas it needs to improve, as well as what the department does well.
The meeting began with commissioner introductions, with Commissioner Veronica Medina explaining that the meeting was intended to be “really informal.”
“We have a lot of issues but we’re also looking for solutions,” Medina said, encouraging folks to provide solutions to their concerns if possible.
Commissioner Warren Brown commented that he has worked with numerous builders and developers in the county throughout his time in office, explaining that the time has come for the county to look at how to improve its services.
“Because that’s government’s job, is to serve you,” he said, adding that if the county is not doing that, “then we need to do something different.”
Commissioner John Ranson commented that the county is “really looking at you all for some ideas and suggestions on what’s working and, more importantly, what’s not.”
He indicated that 80 percent of his phone calls have been dealing with building and planning since he took office in January.
“We’re really hoping you guys come forward with some thoughts for us,” he said.
Medina explained the county is looking to hire a development director, indicating that when applications start to come in, “I would really love for this community to be a part of that.”
She commented that the commissioners don’t necessarily know what that position should have in terms of experience and knowledge, but that the builders and developers community does.
“You know what we don’t know, and you know what that position really should have as far as experience, knowledge and understanding,” she said, expressing she would like a “few” people to participate in that.
Another vacant position Medina referenced is the chief building official.
During a work session held by the BoCC on Aug. 26, Brown indicated that the position had been offered to Randy Betts.
During that same work session, Medina indicated that the county had received seven applications for positions in the Development Services Department.
Some comments expressed by attendees during the Aug. 20 meeting dealt with concerns over the amount of time it has been taking to have their building plans approved.
Brown suggested that it may be possible to have some plan reviews expedited through a different process.
Other suggestions from audience members included using some sort of technological mechanism to help expedite certain plan reviews.
Other audience members suggested the county could hire Betts and start resolving these issues immediately.
Another commenter expressed that he understood the frustrations of local builders, while noting, “I’ve seen a lot of mistakes by contractors here,” adding that “sometimes you miss something.”
Other concerns expressed throughout the meeting dealt with building code consistency and having to deal with unfunded mandates put forth by the state.
Brown explained the county is currently operating on the 2015 building code.
Interim Development Director and Planning Manager Owen O’Dell explained that if any amendments are made to that code by the county, it would then be required to adopt the 2021 code.
Another commenter noted that the county needs to get back to a “commonsense era” in regard to its building codes.
Brown indicated, in relation to staying compliant with new codes that may be coming down from the state, that it is likely not going to get any cheaper for builders and developers before it gets more expensive.
One commenter expressed frustration with the county’s Building Department, noting the department has been “so toxic” over the last few years and that builders have been “oppressed for so long” by someone who had a different way of thinking and a “control factor.”
In response to comments about the meeting being held in hopes of solutions being brought forward, Medina explained that the county is in the process of creating a Board of Reviews and Adjustments and is currently looking for applicants.
Other ideas discussed during the meeting dealt with the difficulty homeowners are experiencing obtaining insurance either because codes are too restrictive or jurisdictions operating on codes that are out of date.
One idea expressed by Ranson was to have a hiring committee formed to help assist with the hiring process for the vacant positions in the Building and Planning departments.
clayton@pagosasun.com
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