2023-09-26 MinutesNew Hanover County Inspections Department Advisory Council (IDAC)
Meeting Notice and Proposed Agenda
Regular Meeting of 2023
Tuesday, September 26th, 2023, at 1:00 pm
New Hanover County Government Center
230 Government Center Drive Rooms 138 and 139
Presiding: Chairperson-Pete Avery
I. WELCOME COMMENTS & ESTABLISHMENT OF QUORUM
1) Hans Schult welcomed everyone and established a Quorum.
II. INTRODUCTIONS (FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC)
1) Hans introduced the board and guest speakers.
III. PRESENTATIONS
1) Overview of NC HB 488, presented by Randal Gray
a. House Bill 488 became law on August 18th, introducing significant changes to the
residential and construction codes.
b. Section Details:
i. Section 1: Effective January 2025. Establishes a new residential code
council responsible for adopting residential codes effective from January
1, 2026. This initiates the first of the six-year code cycles.
ii. Section 2: Effective October 1, 2023. Raises the total construction cost
requiring a licensed general contractor to $40,000. Introduces a provision
where a single permit can cover simultaneous projects on the same plot
(e.g., house, garage, pool house).
iii. Section 3: Focuses on pavement design standards for developments.
iv. Section 4: Allows sheeting inspections for structures in 140-150 mph wind
zones.
v. Section 5: Removes the requirement to include Appendix D on the host
website. A new document, New Hanover County Code Summary, replaces
it.
vi. Section 6: Effective March 3, 2023. States no changes to residential, fuel,
gas, or energy codes until new council updates.
vii. Section 7: Details unspecified but discusses stormwater control measures.
viii. Section 8: Effective August 16th. Amends residential code to include
triplexes and quadruplexes with specific building code modifications.
c. Implementation Challenges:
i. Discussion on how simultaneous projects under a single permit could lead
to complications in partial finals and inspection schedules.
ii. Clarification on the contents and naming of the new code summary
replacing Appendix D, ensuring all required information is still accessible.
d. Feedback and Concerns:
i. Attendees expressed concerns about practical difficulties in managing
inspection schedules for multiple simultaneous projects under a single
permit.
ii. There was a consensus on the need for clear guidelines on how the new
permitting system would operate in practice to avoid administrative and
operational inefficiencies.
e. Questions and Clarifications:
i. Discussion on whether multiple general contractors could operate under a
single permit and how inspections would be scheduled for various phases
of construction across different projects.
f. Next Steps:
i. Continued review of the law's implications on current and upcoming
projects.
ii. Planning further discussions to address specific implementation
challenges as raised by attendees.
g. After the main points were covered, further discussions took place regarding
practical implications and concerns regarding the new law's implementation.
i. Permitting Process for Multiple Projects:
1. Attendees raised questions about the process for obtaining
permits for multiple projects on the same plot, such as a house and
a pool.
2. Concerns were expressed about potential confusion and
administrative challenges if multiple projects are covered under a
single permit.
ii. Applicability of Existing Permits:
1. Questions were raised about whether existing permits would
remain valid for additional projects or if separate permits would be
required.
2. Attendees emphasized the importance of clarity in the permitting
process to avoid complications and administrative burdens.
iii. Residential Inspections and Code Compliance:
1. Discussion ensued regarding the role of residential inspectors and
their compliance obligations with North Carolina law and ICC
regulations.
2. Concerns were raised about the transitional period and potential
confusion for builders and the department during the
implementation of the new regulations.
iv. Sheathing Inspections:
1. Attendees discussed the importance of sheathing inspections for
structural integrity, especially in areas prone to high wind speeds.
2. Consideration was given to making sheathing inspections optional
versus mandatory, balancing safety requirements with practicality.
v. Enforcement and Compliance:
1. Emphasis was placed on the importance of compliance with
building codes and inspection requirements to ensure structural
integrity and safety.
2. Concerns were raised about potential repercussions of not
adhering to inspection standards, highlighting the importance of
thorough inspections.
2) Permitting Updates by JD Limberger
a. Introduction:
i. JD introduced himself as JD Limberger and expressed gratitude to
everyone for attending the meeting.
ii. He emphasized his commitment to improving the permitting process and
delivering exemplary customer service.
b. Vision and Goals:
i. JD outlined the vision for the permitting department to become the gold
standard processor.
ii. He emphasized the importance of efficiency, effectiveness, and exemplary
customer service in achieving this goal.
iii. The focus is on making the permitting process easy to navigate for
customers and internal departments.
c. Efficiency and Effectiveness:
i. JD highlighted the department's focus on process improvement, drawing
on his experience in Six Sigma methodology.
ii. The emphasis is on making every aspect of the permitting process more
efficient and effective, from phone inquiries to application submissions.
d. Training and Development:
i. JD emphasized the importance of investing in training and development
for department staff.
ii. He recognized the need for staff to have the latest knowledge and skills to
better assist customers and improve internal processes.
e. Department Overview:
i. JD provided insight into the size and workload of the permitting
department, which consists of 14 full-time employees.
ii. Despite the small team, they processed 96% of all permits issued in New
Hanover County, totaling 28,000 permits in the last year.
iii. The department also handled 42,000 phone calls and nearly 20,000
emails, highlighting their dedication and workload.
f. Recognition of Team Members:
i. JD took a moment to recognize and introduce key members of the
permitting department, highlighting their dedication and expertise.
ii. Each team member was acknowledged for their role and contribution to
the department's success.
g. Recent Improvements:
i. JD discussed recent improvements, including the launch of a new website
and mobile app aimed at simplifying the permitting process for customers.
ii. He highlighted efforts to improve reliability and efficiency, such as email
automations and consolidated permit applications.
h. Future Plans:
i. JD discussed ongoing efforts to further streamline the permitting process,
including plans to simplify commercial fee schedules and enhance
customer communication.
ii. The department remains committed to continuous improvement and
delivering exceptional service to customers.
i. Conclusion:
i. JD concluded his presentation by expressing gratitude for the opportunity
to share updates and insights into the permitting department's efforts. He
reiterated the department's commitment to improving processes and
providing excellent customer service.
IV. ACTION ITEMS
a. Minutes approved from May 11, 2023.
b. Discussion took place regarding the Date of the Next Meeting.
V. ANY INFORMATIONAL UPDATES TO SHARE?
1) CFPUA Update:
a. Jeff Theberge provided an overview of recent activities and initiatives undertaken
by the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA). He discussed ongoing
infrastructure projects, water quality monitoring efforts, and community
outreach programs aimed at promoting water conservation and sustainability.
2) Energov Updates:
a. Teresa McCormick presented updates on the Energov system, highlighting recent
enhancements and improvements to the permitting and inspection processes.
She addressed any issues or concerns raised by council members and welcomed
feedback for further system optimization.
3) Updates from Ad Hoc/Building Code Council:
a. Pete Avery provided updates on the recent activities and discussions within the
Ad Hoc Committee and Building Code Council. He summarized key topics
discussed, including proposed revisions to building codes and regulations and
ongoing efforts to streamline the permitting process. Avery encouraged council
members to stay informed and engaged in these discussions to ensure effective
representation of the inspections department's interests.
VI. ADJOURNMENT – 2:30 PM or Earlier
1) The meeting adjourned at 2:30 PM, following which members exchanged further
discussions and updates.
Randal Gray (15 minutes) JD Limberger (30 minutes)
Pete Avery
(5 minutes)
(5 minutes)
Responses from:
Jeff Theberge (5 min) Teresa McCormick (5 min) Board Members (10 min)