LAKEPORT >> The number of Valley Fire-related rebuild permits issued for single family residences topped 100, according a report released by the county.
The report indicates that a total of 103 permits have been issued to residents throughout the burn zone. This comes as good news to the Lake County Planning and Building Department, principal planner Audrey Knight said, especially since the rebuilding process got off to a slow start at the beginning of the year.
“I think it’s a really good sign that people are putting major investment in Lake County,” she said. “It’s got people working and keeping money in the area.”
According to Knight, applications began to surge in May thanks to good weather. And the pace has continued. In fact, she claimed all Valley-Fire related permits (temporary dwelling, commercial, agricultural structure, etc.) account for approximately half of the nearly 1400 permits issued countywide.
The data has yet to be compiled, but Knight noted that a majority of the permits have been given in the Cobb region. Still, she said, the spread isn’t large compared to other areas.
“It’s kind of occurring all over the place,” she said. “We’re hoping to get some maps in the next couple of weeks.”
Meanwhile, the planning and building departments are stretched thin, processing “stacks” of applications—including other types like temporary dwelling, temporary electrical, commercial, etc. — with a limited staff and very outdated software that’s complicating the logistics.
“It’s been brutal on the inspectors,” she added.
In a survey of survivors published in late March, the staffing shortage and the sluggishness of the permit process were two of the primary reasons they chose not to rebuild.
In response , the department has been working to install brand new permit processing software. However it is isn’t expected to be fully implemented by the end of the year.
“The timing couldn’t be worse but what can you do?” Knight said.
The Board of Supervisors approved their request for additional staff earlier in the year but that has been delayed “for a variety of reasons.”
