FRESNO (KMJ) — Fresno City Council has approved an ordinance which will allow construction to begin without full permits, in a bid to speed up residential, commercial, and industrial projects.
The change would mean that, following the first round of comments on the plans and after establishing that the project is substantially acceptable, an at-risk permit could be issued. That would mean work can start before final approval.
“It allows them to move forward with all of their building, still meeting all of the same specifications, still paying all the same fees, but moving the projects along,” explained the ordinances’ author Councilmember Garry Bredefeld.
“Whether it’s a residential home, an Amazon building, a Deli Delicious building, they get to move it forward and don’t get bogged down in the bureaucracy.
“Obviously that enhances the economic development for industrial, commercial, and residential. It builds up our tax base in a quicker way, generates sales taxes and property taxes. Most importantly makes us all more user and business friendly in the City of Fresno.”
The ordinance text states that any construction before final approval would be done at the owner’s risk, including all risks of liability. It adds that changes to work already completed may be required, and that all inspections must be allowed during construction.
The at-risk permit ordinance was approved Thursday morning by a unanimous 5-0 vote, with Councilmembers Oliver Baines and Clint Olivier absent. The change is expected to be in force by August 1st.
In a statement to KMJ News after the vote, Bredefeld described it as a big shift in City policy. “Council took a major step today towards making the City of Fresno truly more user and business friendly. Message sent to all businesses: we’re here to help you.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
