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Show The Enterprise Review , December 22, 1976 Page Legislative Construction Trend Healthy Continued from page lb comparable period of 1975. Meumdep static state since 1974, Brereton Economic Troubles Continued from page 6b houses in need of repair. construction Spiraling costs, high costs of invest- The proposed bill, which has not yet been would be modeled after the California Residential Act of 1973. Its stated purpose is to help reverse the decline of older neighborhoods by financing rehabilitation. The bill is to expected help homeowners with low or moderate incomes. pre-file- d, According to Mike Chitwood, director of the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency, the proposed act would allow any redevelopment agency in the state to issue long-terbonds that would be repaid from revenues generated by repayment of loans. We have been operating a similar program with federal funds, Chitwood told members of the Utah Housing but the program under which we have been Coalition, operating is not fancied past October, 1977. We need a long term commitment, he continued, and we think this bill would provide the opportunity we need. m lib ment funds and the weakened national economy hinder nonresidential construction, the analyst said. Valuation for new nonresidential construction registered a moderate 8.1 percent gain during the first nine months over 1975. But in light of its believes the for 62.1 percent of the total dwelling unit permits. in- crease. while slight, to be significant. This sector also registered a decline of 12.9 percent during the first three quarters in the valuation of additions, alternation and repairs. As expected, Brereton the national construction market, Utahs performance during the first nine months doubled a 6 percent national gain. In Vis-a-v- is both markets, residential valuation posted the only gains, with Utah leading the pointed out, construction national residential market 43.4 percent to 39.4 percent. Nonresidential valuation declined 9.8 percent nationally, and 6.8 percent in Utah. activity was concentrated within the urban centers of the state, with the Wasatch Front counties accounting Editors Note: A bill originating in the Utah House of Representatives proposes to impose a state wide building code and all the administrative machinery necessary for enforcement. Members of the Utah Home Builders Association have expressed disapproval of the act, fearing increased housing costs and possible government abuse. Around the World Murdock Travels you! Reservations & Tickets Steamship Bookings & Tickets Train Reservations & Tickets Bus Tickets Air House Bill 23 coming before the legislature in January, calls for the adoption of a state wide building code, a body to interpret that code and a state office created to enforce the code. Sponsored by Rep. Sherman D. Harmer, Jr., the bill was drafted by a committee of 25 builders, elected city and county officials, building engineers, fire marshals, home owner groups and the state. building board. 'Accident & Baggage Insurance 'Group Tours 'Travelers Checks 'Hotel Reservations 'Car Purchase for European Delivery 'Independent Tours Car Rentals Passport & Visa Assistance Expert Counsel on any and all phases of travel with one convenient stop at no extra cost Legislative analyst Reed Searl said the bill also calls for a state building appeals board to mediate discrepencies between contractors ajid building officials. There is an existing building code used by city and county building officials, Searl said, but it has never been adopted to state wide use and there has never been a state appeals board. The creation of an appeals board will be to the advantage of contractors, Searl added, because the board will take into account special cases that might not be covered by existing city and county governments. The nine member appeals board will be comprised of one registered architect, a structural engineer, mechanical engineer, general contractor, general contractor specializing in home building, a fire official, building official, one subcontractor and one at large member, probably representing home owners. The board will have rights of enforcement and review and will approve new building codes as they are rewritten every two years. Members of the appeal board will not be salaried; they will be paid perdium funds only. Salt Lake S21-785- 0 Provo 377-970- 0 MURDOCK TRAVEL THE FRAGRANCE BOUTIQUE mi' . . j ww .v rfv.v. v.v . : . . . . Appointed Official The bill also advocates the creation of a full time state building official to be appointed by the governor. Searl said the position will be filled by a building expert under the Utah Department of Contractors. An enforcement code within the five page bill calls for a new state office to enforce building regulations and assist contractors in construction matters impacting them. The enforcement section provides for state officials to intervene in discrepencies between builders and city and county building officials. Searl said the bill has the endorcement of the states General Contractors Association, the International Conference of Building Officials, building officials at the city and county levels and most elected officials within the state. Robert Palmquist, executive director of the Utah Home Builders Association, said many builders in the association We re had expressed their disapproval of the bill. concerned with the enforcement section of the bill, Palmquist said. Whenever a government agency is given that right it results in abuse and generally adds to the cost of a house. Palmquist said the existing building code, (the same one that will be adapted to state wide use), is as vague as the Bible, and has resulted in several interpretations of the code. THE FRAGRANCE BOUTIQUE offers personal; ; and ; ized service' in ' ' unique experience v ' ' ' - f s s y, m S - s A s wv 'S ,fr W 16 Trolley. Square Salt Lake City. Utah JvF Ph. 363-526- 9, SX Vs.V - s |