Benton Harbor City Commissioners have been asked to take a look at the cost of inspections and permitting for the developers of new housing in the city.
At Monday’s regular meeting, commissioners heard from Nathan Waters of Adagio Properties, which owns buildings in the area. Waters said in the last couple of years, the costs associated with getting a new housing development off the ground have jumped.
“It’s becoming cost prohibitive when the fees here in Benton Harbor are twice as much as neighboring townships,” Waters said. “I understand the importance of having these inspections, rental registrations, having inspections on any kind of renovations. But when we’re having to do architecturally-stamped drawings for a residential house and having to add fire suppression systems to residential houses, it becomes cost prohibitive.”
Waters said he’s been trying to renovate a four-unit building at 818 Main Street, but the cost of adding a fire suppression system would be $30,000, and the cost of getting architect stamps on the plans would be $5,000. He said that jeopardizes the possibility of fixing up the house and turning it into affordable housing.
Although this exchange was during the public comment period of the meeting, when commissioners usually don’t respond, Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats appeared sympathetic. He said commissioners should figure the issue out and suggested perhaps a meeting could be held on the issue.
