Celtic Cove in downtown Lake Orion is expanding to take over the other half of the building where it’s currently located, but building owner Richard Rieman doesn’t believe he should have to pay the full building permit fee since the project includes only minor interior modifications.
Celtic Cove/Catholic Bookstore, located at 45 W. Flint Street, will expand into the other part of its building, formerly occupied by Rompers & Scampers.
Rieman was before the Lake Orion Village Council on Sept.11, to object to the fees he was being charged by the village and Orion Township for a building permit.
‘We respect the building code requirements,? Rieman said. ‘But there is a $50 application fee for residential projects with more detail.?
Rieman said he was being charged $220. The council agreed to reduce his total fees to $105, but declined to revise the entire fee structure at this time.
‘I don’t like the idea of messing with these fees any more than we already have,? said President Bill Siver, who noted that the council had just adopted the fee structure in June.
‘How do you clarify ‘minor change??? he asked. ‘I think the fees should be left as they are, and we can address cases like (Rieman’s) on an individual basis.?
Rieman explained to the council that his tenant would merely be taking over existing space, with the addition of an open doorway between the two areas.
He added that the access would only be inside, and required no electrical or mechanical work.
Rieman said his tenant was in her second month of vacancy.
Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel said the proprietor of Celtic Cove came to the village in Aug. to apply for a change of use, but was told the property owner must sign it.
‘His name was not on the form,? Van Tassel said. ?(The proprietor) spoke of the need for a connecting doorway, and was informed that it would require a building permit, and that the property owner must apply for it.?
Van Tassel said Rieman came in to apply on Aug. 31, but refused to pay the application fee.
‘I understand he did pay it in September,? she said. ‘But it hasn’t been two months of delay.?
Council member Michael Toth agreed with Rieman that there should be a fee for projects in between a full and partial construction, but said he was hesitant to take action on that.
‘We could end up with a bunch of $10 increments,? he said. ‘And that could get time consuming.?
Rieman said he did not dispute the $55 fee for change of use, but was disputing the $220 fee for the review of the building permit, which he wanted changed to $50.
‘It doesn’t seem like it would be hard to add a line (to the ordinance),? said council member Julie Drabik.
‘But it would need to be very specific language,? said Toth. ‘I think it’s easier to do it on an individual basis.?