“Stop work; substantial work completed without a permit,” on a red tag affixed to your project is one thing a project manager and/or building owner doesn’t want to see.
Last October, the Lompoc Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the architectural design and site development review for the KFC remodel project. The architecturally pleasing mission-style building that had sat at the corner of H Street and Central Avenue for decades was to be replaced with a new façade that looked like the box customers get their chicken orders in.
One of the approved conditions was, “no work may commence until a building permit is issued from Building and Safety Division, as applicable.” Although I wasn’t a planning commissioner at the time and didn’t attend the meeting, I am sure that the project representative was asked if they understood and agreed with all the conditions before the Planning Commission voted.
Soon after the commission approved the project, demolition work began to remove all the mission-style façade off the existing building and new construction started. But either the contractor or the property owner forgot one critical process—obtaining a building permit.
Building permits are necessary to assure that the project meets all the building code requirements, is properly sited on the property, and is a safe place for customers and employees. For example, if you want to add an additional living space to your house or build a new garage, you need a building permit before you start.
Since this project is at the busiest intersection in the city, I am sure that one or more city staffers, including those who would be involved with approving building permits, could clearly see that work was underway without the appropriate approvals. So, more than a month ago, on June 26, the city issued a stop work order.
So, we are left with a partially completed project held in check because of a blunder by the owner. It is quickly becoming an eyesore, and unlike all other projects of a similar nature, there is no temporary fencing around the construction site, only some tattered yellow tape blowing in the wind.
The remains of the original building are boarded up; however, there are numerous pedestrians walking by each day and of course the ever-present homeless who frequent the area. Construction materials were left stacked on-site when the stop work order was posted. The parking area is still open for public access, and foot traffic can be seen walking through the area.
As of July 21, 2023, the city manager’s report indicated that 105 letters were sent to property owners for “unpermitted construction” and 116 for “unsafe conditions.” So, this problem isn’t limited to the KFC project.
I guess until the appropriate permits are issued and the stop work order is lifted, we will be stuck with a partially completed project at one of the entrances to our city and miss out on all those KFC specials.
Ron Fink writes to the Sun from Lompoc. Send a response for publication to letters@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 10-20, 2023.
Ron Fink is a curmudgeon. Look it up. He probably needs a dog to make him less surly.