Kinnickinnic: New building law raises some concerns

Talk about it

A public hearing on the new building ordinance was held before last week’s Kinnickinnic Town Board. The hearing addressed changes to the existing law and building-code requirements.

Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator Dave Phillipps gave a presentation to residents. Phillipps said the law was updated to include new building industry standards, provide clarification, change conflicting language, make the document more user-friendly and provide better structure.

One change allows for inspection of all new detached buildings, and these structures would also require a building permit.

If an existing building is updated to include electricity or plumbing, an inspection will be required. If a structure is erected which is less than 180 square feet and has no plumbing or electricity, no inspection is required.

Phillipps said there will be no permit fee increases, and for buildings over 1,500 square feet, a capped fee of $350 will be established under the new law.

Following the presentation, people were asked to voice comments and concerns.

Leroy Stublaski, Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) consultant with the state’s Department of Commerce was also there to answer questions.

“I feel it’s wrong for the building inspector to expand his authority,” said Kinnickinnic resident Candace Bettendorf. “I’m against agricultural buildings and shed inspections because they are not dwellings. They may be machine sheds, pole sheds or decorative buildings, and I don’t see a need for inspections or the fees involved.”

Another resident asked if inspections of non-dwelling structures is required by the state.

Read more in the Sept. 10 print edition of the River Falls Journal.

Patricia Huber can be reached at phuber0722@gmail.com

Tags: town of kinnickinnic, building codes, communities