By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
His ninth anniversary as the City of Decatur’s building and zoning superintendent was at hand and fees for his department to inspect new homes had not changed during that time, Curt Witte told city council at its April 21 meeting.
So following discussion, council moved to boost several fees. Then, two weeks later, an ordinance setting the new fees in place was approved.
Also part of the measure is a boost in demolition charges.
Witte explained that a home under construction is inspected at least 10 times and, in the case of larger structures, up to 11 or more times.
And, any problems uncovered will likely raise the number of inspections
Here are the increases:
* Residential mobile homes, improvement location, remodeling, and the like, as well as for demolition, $45 to $50.
* Room additions, $50 for up to 455 square feet; bigger rooms, an additional 11 cents per square foot. For a home of 1,900 square feet, $350; larger homes, an added 11 cents per square foot.
* The city requires that a new home have a tree planted, for which there is a $200 charge; a new fee would be $225.
“I don’t think this is unreasonable at all,” Councilman Matt Dyer said.
“Homeowners should be happy it (inspections) is being done” to be sure all codes are being met, Mayor Dan Rickord said. “And Curt goes hard at it.”
“We work for the residents,” Witte added.
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