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The problem is that Logan County does not issue these certificates.
Hasprey has been through three rounds of permits to build homes in
the Legends Subdivision, located two miles north of Lincoln. This is
the first time he or anyone else has needed the certificate.
Hasprey was joined by Coldwell Banker real estate agent Sonnie
Alexander to discuss the issue. Alexander said that a certificate of
occupancy is a new requirement of the Federal Home Authority loan
program.
She said after the meeting that a couple of federal loan programs
have recently added this requirement. She explained that while they
are really wonderful for first- and second-time homebuyers, the
government loan programs are getting more specific in some
requirements such as this, which will actually help buyers and the
market, she said.
Will D'Andrea, Logan County zoning officer, explained that at
present when someone wants to build in the county, they get a
certificate of zoning compliance. Zoning-related issues are looked
at, such whether it is in a floodplain, setbacks from other
structures and infrastructure, septic system requirements, and
appropriate land use in the zone. Then a permit to build is issued.
D'Andrea said that the county is not set up to issue a
certificate of occupancy, which comes at the completion of a
building project. To do that, there needs to be an inspector or
several specialists who check the home against building standards
"codes." This is normally a process of many steps that take place as
a structure is being built.
There are two problems:
Alexander and Hasprey are concerned that the sale of the home
could fall through.
Hasprey said that he has a certified building inspector who is
insured and bonded and is willing to do an inspection and issue a
certificate of occupancy.
The committee took the timeliness of the matter into
consideration. They asked that Hasprey check with the FHA to
determine the level of inspection. The committee moved to allow a
bonded inspector to provide an inspection with standard of reference
to the national code of the Building Officials and Code
Administrators. And, pending approval of the state's attorney, board
chairman Terry Carlton would sign the occupancy permit.
Both Alexander and D'Andrea observed that many or most government
jurisdictions do issue a certificate of occupancy.
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D'Andrea would like to see the county get a building code. He
explained that checking structural work -- such as foundation,
frame, electrical, plumbing -- and regulation of septic setbacks and
wells used for drinking water benefit public safety.
He said that he would help steer the committee when they meet
next month. There are building codes already written and available,
and the city of Lincoln adopted the BOCA code, which the county can
readily adopt.
The committee would also need to decide who will carry out
inspections and how, fee structures, and how to underwrite the
costs. The options include fully funded out of the county's general
fund, a percentage of costs or by specific fee recovery, D'Andrea
said.
[By
JAN YOUNGQUIST] ___
Zoning office information from
http://www.co.logan.il.us/zoning/:
(Copy)
The Logan County
Zoning Office administers the Logan County Zoning Ordinance. The
zoning ordinance applies to the unincorporated areas of the county,
as well as villages that do not have a zoning ordinance. The zoning
ordinance generally provides regulations that govern the use of
property and includes such things as zoning districts, minimum lot
sizes, setbacks, flood plain regulations, sign regulations, and
variance criteria.
The zoning office
is also responsible for the review and issuance of building permits
and the processing of applications for variances, conditional uses,
special use permits, and rezoning requests.
Requests for zoning
determinations, minimum lot size required for subdividing property,
and general questions as to what is allowed on a property are common
inquiries received in this office.
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