SIERRA VISTA HERALD: Weds., June 7, 2006
Revision to county building code OK'd
BISBEE — Those who build their own homes in Cochise County will have more options when it comes to codes.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday passed 2-1, with Pat Call opposed, a motion affecting owner/builders within the Building Safety Code. The vote amends the code fee schedule and gives owner/builders the options of adhering to full building code compliance, a full construction plan review with limited building code inspection option or no construction plan review with no building code inspection option.
Highlights include:
- Owner builders being limited to once every five years for dwellings with no limit on accessory structures
- Encouraging use of alternative construction methods, like straw-bale or rammed earth
- Applicants still need to comply with state owner/builder criteria.
Kelly Savage, vice chairman of the Cochise County Property Rights Association, called the vote a big victory because it gives rural home builders a choice. For example, “the people who take this exemption to their property can't be rezoned to a higher density,” she said. “They'll have to have at least four acres. It's at least one way of keeping the county rural, and this will preserve county's character for generations to come.”
She credited the Planning and Zoning Commission for actually listening and taking the time to figure out what residents wanted.
Full story : http://www.svherald.com/articles/2006/06/07/local_news/news3.txt