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Pw CAS # <br /> <br />CONSIDER ADDITIONAL CONTROLS ON RESIDENTIAL HOME BUILDING <br /> By: Steve Jankowski, City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Two common problems that occur when constructing new homes include building the structures <br />and grading the yards to different elevations than specified on the approved development plan. <br />The City may wish to consider implementing additional development requirements to avoid <br />these problems. <br /> <br />The City of Andover has instituted a requirement for a Certificate of Grading and Placement of <br />Comer Irons, making a registered land surveyor responsible for attesting that the grading has <br />been completed consistent with the approved grading plan. The City of Andover does not issue a <br />Certificate of Occupancy until this certificate is received during the non-winter months. During <br />November through April, an escrow sufficient to cover the cost of grading and the survey is <br />accepted in lieu of this certificate. The City of Andover handles the certification of the structure <br />elevation in a slightly different manner. Rather than require a registered surveyor to determine <br />and certify the house elevation, the Building Department requires the builder to have a level set <br />up at the time of the foundation inspection so that the inspector can readily verify the relative <br />elevation between a benchmark identified on the Certificate of Survey and the poured <br />foundation. This allows a relatively inexpensive check on the footing elevation. A similar check <br />by a registered surveyor might be expected to cost in the neighborhood of $200 but would also <br />allow a check of the property line setbacks as well. The check by the building inspector would <br />require a minimal amount of inspection time, assuming everything is properly prepared when he <br />arrives. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />Staff recommends that a policy be established whereby the building inspector, as a part of the <br />foundation inspection, shall verify the building elevation utilizing equipment provided and set up <br />by the builder. Staff further recommends that a policy be established requiring a Certificate of <br />Grading and Placement of Comer Irons prior to the issuance of a Certification of Occupancy by <br />the building officials. <br /> <br />Committee Action: <br /> <br />Motion to recommend City Council adopt the attached policies relating to the requirements for a <br />foundation inspection and for a Certificate of Grading and Placement of Comer Irons prior to the <br />issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br /> <br />City Administrator <br />Director of Public Works <br />Building Official <br /> <br />PW: 11/16/99 <br /> <br /> <br />