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Homebuilders get way, for while, in OB
By CYNTHIA BULLION
Times-Tribune News Staff
OLIVE BRANCH – Olive Branch aldermen on Tuesday granted homebuilders a temporary reprieve from one code section while the city’s building department staff studies the associated costs and how other local government agencies enforce the code.
Chris Massey, president of the Home Builders Association of North Mississippi, asked the city to not enforce changes to the recently adopted 2006 IRC Building Code, particularly one change that requires homebuilders to install pre-engineered panels as added earthquake protection.
“Just the seismic additions are $2,500 alone,” he said about the resulting costs on a 1,800 square-feet home.
Massey added that, due to a slow housing market and lower appraisals from a few years earlier, the amount could not feasibly be added to the sales price of a home and would instead come out of the homebuilders’ pockets.
“It kind of ties our hands in Olive Branch when it’s cheaper to build in Southaven,” he said, noting that all the code changes could mean $5,000 in additional costs on a 1,800 square-feet home.
According to Massey, neither Southaven nor the county or other DeSoto cities are enforcing the seismic-related changes in the code.
The statement prompted Olive Branch Mayor Sam Rikard to suggest all the entities get together to “hammer out something we can all deal with.”
“We certainly don’t want to put the added expense on you for no reason,” he said. “I would like to see that everybody is enforcing (the code) the same way.”
Alderman Don Tullos agreed, entering a motion that the issue be tabled for two weeks for further review. The motion passed.
Homebuilders in the meantime can proceed with construction without pre-engineered panels being required.
In other action Tuesday, aldermen tabled deciding on whether to order the removal of a 58-foot amateur radio tower at a home in the Eastover subdivision.
The city requires a conditional use permit be pulled for any tower exceeding 35 feet, but amateur radio operator Ron Fox installed his tower without one in October.
Aldermen on Tuesday heard comments from Fox and fellow amateur radio operators, as well as from concerned Eastover subdivision residents. Some of the residents said they are worried the tower could fall on their home, while others called it an eyesore that causes electronic disturbances.
The matter will be revisited by aldermen on Feb. 16.
Cynthia Bullion: 429-6397, cbullion@desototimestribune.com
Chris Massey, president of the Home Builders Association of North Mississippi, asked the city to not enforce changes to the recently adopted 2006 IRC Building Code, particularly one change that requires homebuilders to install pre-engineered panels as added earthquake protection.
“Just the seismic additions are $2,500 alone,” he said about the resulting costs on a 1,800 square-feet home.
Massey added that, due to a slow housing market and lower appraisals from a few years earlier, the amount could not feasibly be added to the sales price of a home and would instead come out of the homebuilders’ pockets.
“It kind of ties our hands in Olive Branch when it’s cheaper to build in Southaven,” he said, noting that all the code changes could mean $5,000 in additional costs on a 1,800 square-feet home.
According to Massey, neither Southaven nor the county or other DeSoto cities are enforcing the seismic-related changes in the code.
The statement prompted Olive Branch Mayor Sam Rikard to suggest all the entities get together to “hammer out something we can all deal with.”
“We certainly don’t want to put the added expense on you for no reason,” he said. “I would like to see that everybody is enforcing (the code) the same way.”
Alderman Don Tullos agreed, entering a motion that the issue be tabled for two weeks for further review. The motion passed.
Homebuilders in the meantime can proceed with construction without pre-engineered panels being required.
In other action Tuesday, aldermen tabled deciding on whether to order the removal of a 58-foot amateur radio tower at a home in the Eastover subdivision.
The city requires a conditional use permit be pulled for any tower exceeding 35 feet, but amateur radio operator Ron Fox installed his tower without one in October.
Aldermen on Tuesday heard comments from Fox and fellow amateur radio operators, as well as from concerned Eastover subdivision residents. Some of the residents said they are worried the tower could fall on their home, while others called it an eyesore that causes electronic disturbances.
The matter will be revisited by aldermen on Feb. 16.
Cynthia Bullion: 429-6397, cbullion@desototimestribune.com
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