The New Canaan Building Department is seeing an approximately 67% increase is in permits issued, officials say.
The increase in the number of permits issued, from about 1,500 to 2,500 year-over-year, marks a “huge” jump in activity, according to Chief Building Official Brian Platz.
The dramatic rise is due to both the year-plus surge that New Canaan has seen in the residential real estate market, as well as the extension of the natural gas line in town, where every conversion requires a permit, Platz said.
“Any time someone sells a house, you do something to prepare for the sale, or after it’s sold, you put in a new kitchen or master bedroom or something,” Platz told NewCanaanite.com when asked about the activity. “And pools continue to be up there, too.”
The increase in permits issued has led to revenues about $500,000 over projections, Platz said—approximately 60% more than what had been anticipated this year.
Platz had referred to the high amount of activity in the Building Department during a Board of Selectmen meeting held Nov. 30 at Town Hall and via videoconference. There, the selectmen voted 3-0 to approve moving Residential Building Inspector Scott Becker to full-time following a six-month probationary period.
“He has integrated with staff,” Human Resources Director Cheryl Pickering-Jones told the Board. “Very professional. And a great addition to our Land Use department.”
Platz added, “Scott is working out very well. He’s getting a trial by fire. We are record-breaking busy. So he hit the ground running.”
Selectman Nick Williams during the meeting asked Platz whether he has the full complement of staff that he needs in order to handle the workload in Land Use. Platz said yes.