I read Mr. Doug Anderson’s letter concerning the proposed Swan Mountain subdivision and the fact that its location preempts its inclusion in Missoula County’s permit system. If I understand him correctly, this fact will cause great harm to first responders in the future, due to shoddy construction. Mr. Anderson states that after 2006, when the building permit system was implemented countywide, thanks to this much needed program, buildings are safer and the result is less demand on first responders. That may or may not be true.
We have a tendency in this country to dismiss the workmanship, skill level and knowledge of those who came before us. Suddenly when we represent a current agency or become a disciple of new enlightened thinking, we categorize the early laborers as misinformed, uneducated sheep without a shepherd.
Having been building for almost 40 years in Missoula and Powell counties, I can tell you that the permit system is an unnecessary burden on most everyone - particularly low and middle income homeowners. While it is true that buildings are built to a minimum standard under this system - it is also true that the minutiae that has nothing to do with structural integrity is enforced. I could go on about countless little nitpicky items in a standard home’s construction that become red flags and reasons to stop or slow progress. This is passed on to the homeowner.
I build exactly the same in Powell County as I do in Missoula County. I just don’t have the red tape, slowed pace and expense to the homeowner. Besides the permit fee, homeowners are subject to the expense of engineered plans for even the most simple structures. Not to mention the inordinate amount of wood and manufactured beams that are required. In a time when we should be conserving wood and using it wisely - we are sometimes forced to waste it by overkill standards.
If in fact first responders will be affected negatively due to this, then will they also be adversely affected responding to homes in Missoula County built before 2006? What about the rest of the state?
Of the 50 some other counties in this state there are none that have a countywide building permit system. Only Missoula County has seen fit to force their standards throughout the rest of this rural county.
I believe property owners should have property rights. We no longer do.
It is interesting that across the page from Mr. Anderson’s letter is an article by Mr. Haverson who is running for Missoula County Commissioner and advocating the repeal of countywide building permits. He states that it should be the right of those who do not want a castle to be able to own a tiny home or trailer without county regulations prohibiting them. I do too.
Too often in this county we are being dictated to, everything from property tax increases to building permits. Do we want to encourage more control by supporting more contingencies?
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