Engineering and Building Department

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City Government » Departments » Engineering and Building Department

Comprised of three divisions, Engineering, Building, and Planning, this department administers the city's growth, implements major capital improvement projects authorized by City Council, and oversees contracts for the city's yearly maintenance responsibilities.

Administration of the city's growth implies a variety of duties, including:

managing growth issues
future planning
zoning
maintaining GIS maps and databases
overseeing contractor workmanship
records research
regulating traffic congestion and vehicle speed
managing public safety concerns
improving pedestrian safety
overseeing sign placement and landscaping
managing the storm drainage system
insuring sewer availability.

With these diverse responsibilities, the department is compelled to provide prompt and responsive service to contractors, developers, and residents while working toward the goal of improving the quality of life of residents. The department also reviews and inspects private and public improvements to ensure that streets, underground utilities, and buildings are constructed according to adopted codes, good engineering practices, latest technology, and public safety. All divisions work together as a unit to provide service to Mason residents.

The workload of the Engineering and Building Department has increased steadily since 1991. Since 1996, there have been about 1,250 building permits of all kinds applied for each year, and the department has issued an average of 420 single-family permits each year. The rate of issuance of single-family permits is expected to remain about the same for the next few years, judging by the number of lots available in the city. The department collects fees for zoning certificates, Planning Commission applications, Zoning Board of Appeals requests, and building permits, as well as reimbursements for engineering services. These fees help to compensate the city for inspection services.

Engineering Division

The engineering staff manages the design, construction, and administration of all public improvements, including inspections.

Subdivision inspections cover the installation and testing of sanitary mains and equipment, storm sewers and appurtenances, excavations, earth preparation for roads, under drains, paving, curbs and gutters, and soil erosion. Inspections are very important for infrastructure improvements that will become the maintenance responsibility of the city once they are accepted by City Council. Included with these responsibilities is the administration of bonds and subdivision contracts for each subdivision.

Design, review, and contract administration of public works projects also fall under this division. Major road projects, traffic signal design, storm drainage systems, road resurfacing and striping, and sidewalks are examples of these projects.

Building Division

The building staff is responsible for the safety and accessibility of buildings and facilities on public and private properties. The building division is state-certified to provide enforcement of the state building code and works closely with the Mason Fire Department. In addition, street addresses are assigned by the building division and each building permit application is reviewed for compliance with the building and zoning codes.

Once plans are reviewed and permits are issued, building construction sites, including alterations, additions, and new buildings, are inspected for building and zoning code compliance. Field inspections are conducted on the structural, fire protection, electrical, mechanical, sprinkler, and accessibility components of the building. Projects receiving final approval for zoning, building, and site engineering receive a certificate of occupancy allowing their intended use.

Planning Division

The planning division reviews all Planning Commission submittals, recommends zoning districts for annexed property, and oversees updates to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Landscape Code, Bicycle and Pedestrian Way Master Plan, Thoroughfare Plan, and Comprehensive Plan as necessary. The Planning Division also reviews variance requests heard by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

With 11 active subdivisions and approximately 225 lots available, plus an additional 426 lots in two subdivisions that have been approved but are not yet active, residential construction is a large part of development in Mason. Commercial development continues to be very active as well, with existing company expansions and new industries relocating to Mason.

Each new subdivision and new commercial building must proceed through a planning process that begins with the Planning Commission. Staff takes an active role in the development process, participating in meetings and providing written reviews to assist in the preparation of presentations made before the Planning Commission and City Council. The seven-member Planning Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month.