The Hamlet Zoning Board continues to research the possibility of a new fee structure for building permits. During Wednesday’s meeting, Clerk-Treasurer Kristina Pitts gave board members copies of Starke County’s permits and suggested adopting a similar system.
Board member Brian Earnest explained that Hamlet’s current system consists of one $25 permit that applies to any sort of construction work. “We have a $25, regardless of what you’re doing,” he said. “And a lot of towns, now, have switched to, you know, you’ve got demolition permits, a miscellaneous permit. Commercial and industrial is obviously different. If you’re just going to remodel – right now, to remodel an existing structure, there’s no fee at all. Exterior features – I mean, there’s a bunch.”
Earnest said that not only would the new system bring Hamlet in line with the rest of Starke County, it would also be helpful to Building Inspector Frank Lonigro. “It just makes it easier, more specific on what’s being done,” Earnest said. “I think right now, a lot of times, our permits are so vague, and then because of that, it put a little more work on Frankie to go out and try to check everything. I know we’ve talked about having him do actual inspections, as opposed to just permits, as well, so just something that’s in the works that we need to think about moving forward.”
Board members agreed to review the county’s permits and revisit the discussion at their next meeting.
