BOC relaxes requirements on building plans

Commissioners said the move is intended to help eliminate hurdles for those seeking to start businesses in Madison County.

“The changes in the ordinance will make it easier to bring business into Madison County,” said commissioner Stanley Thomas.

On Monday, a portion of the zoning ordinance requiring an “engineer stamped site plan,” was deleted and replaced by a requirement that “an approved site plan by the planning and zoning department will be required for all commercial and public assembly building permits.”

The ordinance also now states that a set of drawings stamped by an engineer or architect is now only required when specified by state law.

“In all other cases, engineer or architect plans are not required (e.g. commercial and business buildings 5,000 square fee or less…” the amended ordinance reads.

The BOC also deleted a portion of the ordinance regarding “construction progress.”

The new guidelines stipulate that “any building permit will become invalid unless the work authorized by the permit is commenced within six months of the date of issue or if the work authorized by the permit is suspended or abandoned for a period of one year.” However, “non-structural interior build-out may be suspended for an indefinite period.”