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 "Birthplace of the Oil Industry" "Tree City, USA" for 20 Consecutive Years 107 North Franklin Street ● Titusville, Pennsylvania ● (814) 827-5300 |
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Building & Zoning Inspector *last updated 4/10/07*
January February March April May June July August November
JANUARYThe following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of January 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 4 Accomplished: 7 Fees Collected $350.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 1 Applications: 1
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $341.80 Meetings Attended: 1
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued: 3
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 2
Property Maintenance/Complaint Investigations Accomplished: 11
Worked on developing timelines and forms for a 2007 sidewalk repair program.
Assisted Chief Crotty in the inspection or the sprinkler and alarm system at the new Lutheran facility at Beechwood Drive. At the time of the inspection it was anticipated that construction would be completed at the end of February.
The Christian Lighthouse Center completed the alterations to their facility at West Spring Street and was issued a certificate of occupancy by Guardian Inspection Agency. Chief Crotty and I will be conducting an inspection to determine the occupant load which is based on the size of the assembly area.
Completed and returned the annual residential Building Report to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Attended a Zoning Hearing in which Peter and Linda Gilbert of Flemington, NJ were granted permission to operate a Bed And Breakfast facility at 430 E. Main Street.
Began with the arrangements to conduct a Zoning Hearing in which BPC Management Group of Franklin, PA requested a special exception to operate an industrial Group Home at 414 West Main Street. Further details are stated on the attached application.
Worked with Chief Crotty on developing guidelines and inspection forms to be used if a rental inspection ordinance is adopted.
Assisted Mike Grill in the inspection of emergency exits at the Save-A-Lot. The facility is under new management and interior alterations are going to take place.
Assisted Mike Grill in the inspection of the emergency exits at the BSI Building. This facility has been sold and the new owners are making interior changes. The new owners reside in Montana.
Responded to complaints and inquiries as needed. FEBRUARYThe following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of February 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 3 Accomplished: 3 Fees Collected $150.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 1 Applications: 1
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $86.40 Meetings Attended: 0
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued: 4
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 5
Property Maintenance/Complaint Investigations Accomplished: 14
As reflected above, Building Permits dropped off considerably in the month of February. Both commercial and residential construction was well below normal most likely affected by homeowners who were occupied dealing with the snow and heating costs. Also realizing the impact of the winter months was the real estate market as evidenced by the decline in sanitary sewer inspections. On a more promising note, many inquires have been made by those planning spring and summer projects.
Several inspections were conducted in response to complaints received concerning residents who were not removing the snow and ice from their sidewalks. For the most part, given the amount of snow we had, the sidewalks were maintained as well as could be expected.
Office work included:
Preparing for the BPC Management Group Zoning hearing. Preparing for 2007 sidewalk program Updating the tax map and property deeds. Preparing correspondence in response to citizen complaints/inquiries. Review of the draft zoning ordinance and map.
MARCH
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of March 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 3 Accomplished: 9 Fees Collected $450.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 0 Applications:
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $73.20 Meetings Attended: 1
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued: 4
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 7
Property Maintenance/Complaint Investigations Accomplished: 11
The Zoning Hearing for BPC Management Group, Inc. was conducted on March 14th. The request was for permission to operate an Industrial Group Home ( halfway house) at 414 West Main Street. The Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously to table the matter and render their decision at a later date.
Began taking applications for the sidewalk program. As of this date (4/11) 17 applications have been received. The deadline for applications is May 4th and the inspections of the individual properties will begin in the next week or two.
Notification of private sale has been publicized with regard to the three properties that have been turned over to the Titusville Redevelopment Authority for demolition. They are: ● 345 Bank Street ● 126 East Main Street ● 517 South Perry Street
The notification, publicized by the Crawford County Tax Claim Bureau, gives concerned taxing districts and the assessed owners the opportunity to contest the sale. If there is no opposition the property will be acquired by the TRA through a quitclaim deed and subsequently demolished. The City may be forced to execute some clean-up and yard maintenance until the properties are razed.
Assisted Mike Grill with the inspection of the addition to the Armstrong facility at Industrial Drive. The project is near complete and for those who are interested in the process involved in the finishing of hardwood flooring should arrange to tour this facility. It resembles an assembly line but I found it quite impressive.
Met with Joyce Millburg at the location of the proposed Oil Derrick on Route 8. Matters of interpretation are whether or not the structure is permitted by zone and, if so, that it meets the setback and/or erosion control requirements of the Zoning Ordinance. Also discussed were the notification of neighbors and utility companies utilizing the right of way. Further discussions are planned.
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of April 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 13 Accomplished: 9 Fees Collected $350.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 0 Applications:
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: 371.60 Meetings Attended: 0
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued: 3
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 7
Property Maintenance/Complaint Investigations Accomplished: 6
Most of time within this report period was spent conducting inspections for the sidewalk program and sanitary sewer inspections. Many hours were also spent trying to track down ownership of abandoned properties that are in need of maintenance. There have been many complaints related to these properties and notices are being sent accordingly.
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of May 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 13 Accomplished: 5 Fees Collected $250.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 1 Applications:
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $225.00 Meetings Attended: 0
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 1
Property Maintenance Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued: 18
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 11
Property Maintenance/Complaint Investigations Accomplished: 24
The Titusville Redevelopment Authority has informed me that they are in the process of acquiring the deeds to the three condemned properties slated for demolition. The 45 day period for any party with interest in the properties to come forward has expired. It is anticipated that once the title work has been taken care of and the demolitions are put out to bid that the work should be performed in the fall.
As stated above, there were 18 property maintenance violations issued in May. Most of these were high grass complaints. The original plan to resolve these situations was to hire an independent contractor to perform the work and lien the property. This option, however, would likely exhaust a budgeted amount of $1000.00 by mid summer. Jamie Beechey has offered to help by utilizing her summer employees to perform the work. This is a great help and will still enable the City to recover the costs through a Municipal lien without an additional “out of pocket expense”. Also, there is a need to include in the lien, all costs for the office work involved in tracking down the responsible property owners.
Building Permits are low for this time of year but are not reflective of the amount of work that is being done. I’ve noticed that there are many contractors in town but that most projects are maintenance or minor repairs that do not require a Building Permit. To the contrary, many inquiries have been made by residents and business concerning the regulations for future construction projects.
An update of the sidewalk program is as follows:
Applications have been received and the amount of work has been calculated Project was put out to bid twice because of only one bid the first time Four bids were received the second time and opened on June 8th
The bid will be awarded at a special Council meeting on June 18th. The successful bidder must begin the work within 30 days of the Notice To Proceed and complete the project within 90 days.
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of June 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 8 Accomplished: 5 Fees Collected $250.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 0 Applications:
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $275.00 Meetings Attended: 0
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued: 8
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 10
Property Maintenance/Complaint Investigations Accomplished: 8
The University of Pitt is in the process of completing their landscaping project which began in 2002. The works involves the construction of a brick wall sign and drainage at the west end of Walnut Street which will duplicate what has already been installed at the east end at Petroleum St. This portion of Walnut St. was vacated in 2001 to accommodate the project.
The First United Methodist Church demolished a residential structure they owned located next to the Church at 302 West Walnut Street. Their plans are to expand parking.
Approximately 12 residents have committed to participate in the sidewalk program. Thursday, (7/5), is the deadline that was established for the applicants to either submit a down payment or withdraw from the program. Ken Leach has indicated that he intends to start work the week of July 9th.
Several properties in violation of high grass have been mowed by the Titusville Recreation summer employees. Liens are being placed on the properties to recover the costs. We are only mowing those properties where all efforts to locate the owner have been exhausted. Usually, the owners have abandoned the property and the lenders have not yet taken ownership through foreclosure.
Plans have been issued for additions to Sam’s restaurant. One of the additions is an Entry/Shoppe which will be located in the area of the existing entrance. An addition to the dining area will be constructed at the west side of the existing dining which is currently open area between Sam’s and Pasquale’s Sub Shop. Accessible parking areas and signs are also going to be installed. The Building Permit will be issued through Guardian Inspection Agency.
Attended a Safety Seminar in Franklin with Joe Crotty and Scott Attenborough. The focus was on the awareness of job safety and identifying areas for improvement. Representatives from Oil City, Franklin, Meadville, and Edinboro were in attendance.
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of July 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 8 Accomplished: 6 Fees Collected $300.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 0 Applications:
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $275.00 Meetings Attended: 0
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance 5 Hearings Attended: 0 Violations Issued:
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 7
Property Maintenance/Complaint 7 Investigations Accomplished:
Eviction notices were issued to two residents because they are occupying structures with no running water. The water has been shut off by the City, due to a delinquent water bill, and no arrangements have been made with the water department to have it restored.
A Developer’s Agreement has been forwarded to CEI Engineering who has requested City water and sewer service for a proposed Aaron’s Sales and Lease facility across from Wal Mart in Oil Creek Township. Aaron’s stores are nationwide and are similar to Rent A Center, but they also have a large show room for the sale of appliances.
Leach Construction has begun to replace the sidewalks of those who participated in the sidewalk program. There are 24 applications and under the terms of the contract the work must be completed within 90 days (early October). There have been no issues with the ones completed thus far.
Responded to 108 calls of inquiry and prepared and issued correspondence accordingly.
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of August 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 9 Accomplished: 5 Fees Collected $250.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permits Denied: 0 Applications:
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $387.60 Meetings Attended: 0
Notice of Zoning Planning Commission Violations Issued: 0 Meetings Attended: 0
Property Maintenance 10 Hearings Attended: 1 Violations Issued:
Zoning Investigations Accomplished: 11
Property Maintenance/Complaint 16 Investigations Accomplished:
The following are a breakdown of the activities of the Building Inspection Department for the month of November 2007.
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspections Permits Issued: 2 Accomplished: 3 YTD 91 YTD 69
Construction/Zoning Sewer Inspection Permits Denied: 0 Fees: $150.00 YTD 4 YTD $3450.00
Construction/Zoning Zoning Hearing Board Permit Fees Collected: $343.60 Meetings Attended: 0 YTD $3051.20 YTD 3
Notice of Zoning 0 Planning Commission Violations Issued: Meetings Attended: 0 YTD 3 YTD 2
Property Maintenance Demolitions: 0 Violations Issued: 1 YTD 2 YTD 66
Zoning Investigations 2 Condemnations: 0 Accomplished: YTD 3 YTD 66
Information calls Received: 71 YTD 1074
Property Maintenance 10 Investigations: YTD 223
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