Property Maintenance and Development Services Director Tim Hawkins (left) talks about ways to help facilitate specific flood-related repairs by relaxing permit application timelines, as City Clerk George Darany and City Council members Leslie Herrick, Robert Abraham, Michael Sareini, Council President Susan Dabaja, David Bazzy, Erin Byrnes and Brian O’Donnell listen.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Times-Herald Newspapers
DEARBORN – To make it easier to for residents to schedule repairs for flood damaged systems, the City Council relaxed the permit application timeline and waived permit fees for specific flood repairs.
At its June 29 special meeting, the council temporarily waived the requirement that permits be obtained within three days for mechanical, heating, cooling, plumbing and electrical system repairs necessitated by the recent flooding. While licensed contractors must still pull permits and work must be inspected, the paperwork may be initiated after the repair work has begun.
Councilman Robert Abraham said people shouldn’t have to wait for permit applications if they are able to schedule work on flood damaged systems.
“If they have a contractor that’s available to do the work, they should get it done, and, retroactively, we can deal with the paperwork,” he said. “I would rather the mechanical contractors use their resources to replace and repair mechanicals in all the homes, than being standing at the counter. No criticism to the team, but we don’t need them stacked up.”
The provisions will be in place until July 31, and could be extended if needed.
The council also waived permit fees through July 31 for flood-related damage repairs.
Call the city Administrative Center at 313-943-2150 to verify whether a repair qualifies for a waiver.