The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board of directors voted to give a homeowner an extension to close off a building permit first opened in 2006.
Additional permits were issued, and extended, with the most recent being issued in 2021 and expiring in 2024.
RDOS staff had recommended that the property have a notice placed on the title and injunctive action be pursued to bring the property into compliance.
At the April 3 board meeting, the owner of the house on Green Mountain Road stated that he had bought the property in 2013 after the initial permit was issued.
The homeowner said there were three outstanding issues on the permit; a completing bathroom, finishing drywalling and a railing installation.
Out of the three issues, he said the only one he hadn't finished was the drywalling and that he expected to have it down within a month.
Director Subrina Monteith moved to have the issue deferred until September to give the homeowner time to complete the project.
She expressed concerns about putting in place a notice that would require up to $1,000 to remove on top of having to get a permit anyway to get the inspections to certify the home.
RDOS staff noted that even if the board did vote for an injunction, it could take several years to bring to a trial and that given it sounded like progress had been made the homeowner could apply for a deficiency permit instead of a regular building permit to resolve the issue.
Director Tim Roberts asked if there was any system in place to get updates from homeowners, not specifically this one when it comes to projects where things were falling behind.
"We can accept photos on more minor aspects that could be verified through a photo, but in general in a project like this, we want to do a walk-through," said RDOS staff.
Staff added that they do have the flexibility and will also sometimes ask for a pre-inspection to give a work list for permit holders to keep the workflow clear on both sides of the conversation.
