Newport is working toward separating the functions of code enforcement and planning into two separate departments.
The Newport City Commission held a first reading on an ordinance that separates code enforcement operations and creates a new planning and development department. Newport City Manager Tom Fromme said that establishing the planning and development department was necessary because the city expanded jurisdiction from Kentucky to do all its permitting.
“Why is that important? We have what’s called an expanded jurisdiction,” Fromme said. “So, years ago, if you had commercial property, we could not inspect it. So, we had to wait for the state to come and inspect the property. It could take months. It took them like 90 days, which that could be devastating on development.”
Brian Steffen will serve as director of Planning and Development. Steffen previously served as Newport’s director of Code Enforcement. The department will have three level one through three building inspectors. Two of which are level three building inspectors—the highest certification in Kentucky. Level three allows for commercial plan review and the ability to inspect all types of buildings across the state.
Newport Commissioner Beth Fennel said the city is not hiring new people but reorganizing the people they already have to best serve the community.
Fromme said inspecting commercial properties themselves is crucial with sites like the Ovation development in Newport.
“The amount of revenue that would be leaving the city for building permits for commercial building permits—I mean, you’re looking at hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars that would be going to Frankfort,” Fromme said. “So that’s the importance of this for that local control.”
Newport Mayor Tom Guidugli Jr. said not only is it important to have the inspectors for added revenue, but they “by far” cover their costs. He also said it allows for projects to move faster and more efficiently.
“They’re (the state) dealing with some of the same issues that we are with employee recruiting and retention,” Steffen said. “But they’re on a 16-plus week turnaround for planning review for permits.”
According to Newport’s website, most building permits are processed by the city within 14 business days.
“Years ago, I stood before the board, and I said our goal is to have less citations and code violations and more building permits, and we’re there by far,” Steffen said. “Our main function now is building permits, which is great. It’s really a good problem to have.”
The functions of the planning and development department would be as follows:
- The administration of planning and zoning
- Development plan review
- Conduct building inspections
- Issue building permits
- Issue demolition permits
- Administer expanded jurisdiction
- Administer the board of adjustments
- Administer the planning and zoning commission
- Administer the urban design and review board
The Newport Commission will vote on whether to implement the ordinance at a future meeting.
