An informal, in-camera city council meeting took place at noon today, even though council members are still on their summer break. The topic for discussion: the serious backlog in building permit applications.
The city has been bombarded with all kinds of questions and complaints, yet the exact number of concerns has not been calculated.
On Tuesday, Coun. Ted Laking told The Yukon Star he alone has received more than 20 complaints.
“I know myself and several colleagues have received probably a dozen or more texts or phone calls,” said Laking.
“There was a meeting about two weeks ago with several councillors and industry representatives. At the meeting, there were a dozen industry representatives, and the concerns are real and palpable.
“I think everybody just wants to get a resolution, and I can understand their frustration because they have been raising their concerns since spring.”
Some of the challenges in the efficient issuing of building permits have been attributed to National Building Code changes.
However, Laking said that should not be the problem, as the building code didn’t just change overnight, though it seems like the city’s processes did.
He said he’s heard from contractors that the goal posts change almost daily at city hall.
“One day, they will get approval for a plan, and then the next day, the exact same plan will come back with a dozen questions, but the only thing that’s really changed is the address of the plan,” said Laking, who is not seeking re-election in October.
He’s suggesting the city take a look at what’s happening inside the system, as such problems didn’t occur last year.
Though August dawns tomorrow, Laking believes there is still a chance to save some of the building season – but that the city needs to start moving now.
While he was attempting to pass on all the concerns from the public to the city, Laking said, he has been muzzled in that endeavour.
“The mayor (Laura Cabott) asked me to stop asking so many questions,” Laking said.
Speaking to the Star this morning, Cabott said, “I sent an email to all councillors saying, ‘look, if you’d like to, let’s have a meeting. We’ll do it on Wednesday, and at that, we’ll have administration there, and we’ll be able to answer everybody’s questions. In the meantime, if people could just hold off on submitting any further questions and bring those questions to the meeting,” said Cabott.
She emphasized there is no intention of muzzling people from asking questions about the building permits problems.
Council members should focus on how to support staff in issuing more permits faster, Cabott said, not on getting involved in every single file, which she believes is what was happening.
This afternoon’s meeting also served as an update for all the city staff and councillors regarding the backlog, she added.
Council members’ next regular meeting after their summer break is set for the evening of Aug. 5.
