AIKEN --- City land-development regulations that went into effect this year are proving to be a headache for developers.
The new regulations require developers to hire an engineer to inspect and certify the installation of infrastructure for new developments, relieving the city's engineering department of the responsibility.
But finding an engineer willing to do the work might be difficult, developers say.
Steve Kisner and Pat Cunning said they have had trouble finding an engineer in the city of Aiken willing to perform the inspections.
"They have all said that is something they are probably not willing to do because I think the city's intent may be to hold (the engineer) accountable if there is a problem," Mr. Kisner said.
Mr. Kisner and Mr. Cunning also say the new regulations will drive up development costs.
"I have a preliminary estimate of nearly $2,000 per lot," said Mr. Cunning, who developed Woodside Plantation. "When you look at Woodside or other higher-end neighborhoods, it's going to drive the cost up, but where it's really going to affect people in Aiken is on some of the medium-priced-range lots."
The Woodside developer said the new regulations will put the city at a competitive disadvantage at a time when the overall market has slowed.
"If it's an inspection of a development that is ultimately going to be accepted by the city, then the city, it seems, should do the inspections," Mr. Kisner said.
The two developers said the new inspection requirements are stricter than before.
The city council passed the ordinance in November in an effort to ease the workload of the city's engineering department, whose duties also include the design and inspection of various city projects and engineering investigations for residents.
Director of Public Works Larry Morris said hiring engineers will ensure "that the work has been done properly."
If the engineer certifies shoddy work, the city could call the state Licensing Bureau and bring a cause of action against the engineer.
"They are very strict on an engineer certifying something that is not what they say it is," he said.
Reach Michelle Guffey at (803) 648-1395, ext. 110, or michelle.guffey@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
Since the city has the final say, the city engineers should do the inspecting. Out source some of the other work and charge a special inspection fee to free up time and money for the inspections. The court costs on a good inspection could bankrupt an engineering company. The potential to have your life destroyed by a bureaucrat won't appeal to many.
let the city retain engineers
When the city inspected my new home in 2002, they didn't notice the plumber had connected the "hot 'n' cold" backwards. Not to mention at least 8 other violations that an apprentice inspector would have found. The fact is they didn't inspect squat. They are a bunch of lying lackies for developers.
Pofwee, I have to agree. One needs to get a private inspector before closing on the house and make it a part of the sales contract that all deficiencies be corrected prior to closing.
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