Commissioners learn about Planning and Building efforts

ALBANY — Linn County’s Planning and Building Department issued 309 total permits in October, Director Steve Wills told Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker Tuesday morning.

Wills said there were seven permits for single-family dwellings and one for a manufactured home.

There were 41 permits issued within cities that contract for services with Linn County.

Linn County has waived $113,381 in permit fees for families rebuilding after the September 2020 wildfires in the Santiam Canyon. So far that has included: 22 single-family dwellings, 16 manufactured homes, two multi-family dwellings, 47 electrical services and 19 temporary RV permits.

There have been 40 applications for fire hardening assistance with 25 approved for $99,200 in assistance.

There are 170 total code enforcement cases, including 11 new cases in October.

Linn County has received a $275,000 grant from the state of Oregon to assist with the extra Planning and Building costs associated with the Santiam Canyon wildfires.

Wills said Planning and Building staff will participate in a meeting with other county staff members on November 14 to discuss cleaning up a derelict property in Lebanon. The plan is to remove debris that has accumulated over several years and which pose public health issues.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Noted they will meet at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, instead of their usual Tuesday morning meeting. The commissioners will be attending the annual AOC Conference in Eugene.
• Approved a $4,913 refund for building permits because the applicant died and a new contractor will be selected.
• Roadmaster Wayne Mink brought several issues before the board. A permanent easement was approved at the Hoefer Drive-Dever Conner Drive intersection owned by Esther Harnish and David Harnisch, deceased, for $419.50.
• Approved a $4,713 change order for the Shimanek Covered Bridge project.
• Approved the purchase of a new Chevrolet diesel service truck from Power Chevrolet for $72,281 and two gasoline-fueled trucks also from Power Chevrolet for $127,425.

Media contact: Alex Paul, Linn County Communications Officer, 541-967-3825 or email apaul@co.linn.or.us.