Kevin Parnell
Black Press
A development queue for builders and developers to get proper permits stretches all the way to the middle of May, as Lake Country staff continues to be swamped with building permits.
And the district says it has already added more staff this year and more will be added next year as increased development is expected to continue.
“It is important to note that business has ebbs and flows where at sometimes during the year we are less busy and at other times more busy,” said planner Paul Dupuis.
“It is normal that during the spring and summer we tend to receive more applications as it is prime building time for developers and owners.”
The district has developed a five-year capacity plan that looks at growth projections and needs in all areas of the municipal operation. The plan is not a public document and was developed and presented to Lake Country council at an in-camera (private) meeting where it was approved by council.
But projections of growth point to the need for more employees.
“This year we have added an engineering technician to manage the Transportation for Tomorrow Plan, a financial analyst to assist with Transportation for Tomorrow and additional growth, a seasonal bylaw enforcement officer in addition to the one we already have, and an exhibit clerk for the RCMP department which will free up a member’s time to attend regular duties,” said Alberto De Feo, Lake Country’s chief administrative officer.
“The plan will be reviewed annually with each department head.”
De Feo added that next year the district will add a planning technician to its staff, as called for in the capacity plan.
Lake Country is coming off its busiest year ever for building permits.
According to figures released by the municipality, construction investment in the district totalled $68.9 million in 2015, an increase of 36 per cent over 2014. There were 339 permits issued by staff last year, compared to 268 in ‘14.