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Council reviews permitting process

Final vote on changes set for Thursday

Marietta City Council’s Planning, Zoning and Annexation Committee met Tuesday for a final review of the permitting duties to be taken on by the city from Washington County officials.

The contract, which was only extended to the end of February after changes by the county were sought at the end of last year, will be voted on by council Thursday at its regular council meeting at 7:30 p.m. in Room 10 of the Armory located at 241 Front St.

The city’s engineering office manager will take over the issuance of zoning, use, occupancy and demolition permits in addition to other permits already regulated by the city.

“Hopefully this will make it clearer,” said Councilman Tom Vukovic, D-4th ward, at the meeting.

Current city-regulated permits include: access, driveway, right-of-way, sewer and water tap and land development permits.

The county will continue to issue residential building permits, commercial building permits and flood development permits but for building permits, a resident or business will be referred first to the city to ascertain if zoning would conflict with the intended build.

“The language in the contract will make it clear that you have to go to zoning before getting a building permit in the city,” said City Law Director Paul Bertram.

Safety-Service Director Jonathan Hupp further explained that the contract clarifies that a flow of information between the city’s engineering department and the Southeast Ohio Building Department, run by the county, will be established through weekly communications of the previous week’s business and that responsibility will be separate between city and county domains.

Councilwoman Sarah Snow, R-at large, chair of the committee also asked that further clarification be added to one line of the contract outlining that the county provide access to its permitting technology at the request and sole expense of the city.

No cost estimates were available at the meeting as to what an access portal would cost the city but Hupp said the administration does not anticipate that purchase in the near future.

If you go

≤ Marietta City Council will hold its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in room 10 of the Armory located at 241 Front St.

≤ Council will vote on the new permitting contract with the county at this meeting.

Source: Sarah Snow, chair of council’s Planning, Zoning and Annexation Committee.

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