The number of building permits added to a file available for public review at the Leelanau County Construction Code Authority office over the latest two-week reporting period may well have set a record.
It was the lowest number of permits added during any similar period in memory.
Two new building permits added to the file have brought the year-to-date number of permits issued so far in 2010 to 12 – the lowest ever noted by this time of the year.
The two new permits had a combined estimated construction value of $21,770, bringing the year-to-date total to $1,089,801 – another record low.
Last year at this time, there were 17 building permits in the file with a combined estimated construction value of $3,056,366. This year’s figures represent a nearly 30 percent drop in the number of permits and a nearly 65percent drop in value.
It may be worth noting that building activity was so slow last year that the Code Authority laid off all of its full-time inspectors and contracted with part-time inspectors as needed. In addition, the head of the department retired at the end of last month and has not yet been replaced. One of the two remaining office staffers said last week that a few more permits were still in the pipeline; and the office is still open for business.
Following are the two building permits issued over the latest two-week reporting period:
VILLAGE OF SUTTONS BAY: Richard M. and Kathleen Silbernagel (Seeco Contracting), one-story alteration to single family residence at 118 S. Shore Dr., $9,800.
GLEN ARBOR: Marsha E. Garber (Habeggger Construction), sun porch addition to single family residence at 5851 S. Lake Isle Ave., $11,970.