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UPDATED 3/24/20: Municipal Responses to COVID-19

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March 24, 2020
UPDATED 3/24/20
For NO CHANGES REPORTED be sure to check links to each municipalities COVID-19 Response Pages.  I'm doing my best to stay in contact with each Department Head, but things are changing faster than I can keep up!

CARRBORO (Rick Wade, Inspections Director)

3/24/20: Still conducting inspections, builders can request inspections through the online portal or call.  DO not leave an inspection request as a message, as the staff are not working from the town offices. The plan is to maintain service unless directed otherwise.

CARRBORO (Patricia McGuire, Planning Director)
3/24/20, NO CHANGES REPORTED.
3/17/20:  At the present time, the Town of Carrboro is making all reasonable efforts to continue operations with as little disruption as possible. This includes having at least a limited number of Planning, Zoning, and Inspections staff available to meet the public in person in designated areas at Town Hall and in accordance with social distancing recommendations.  All departmental staff are able to work remotely, including reviewing and approving permits. Inspections are still occurring.  Functions and abilities are subject to change depending on the circumstances.


CHATHAM COUNTY (David Camp, Central Permitting & Inspections Director)
3/24/20, NO CHANGES REPORTED.
3/17/20:  I’ve ATTACHED what we’ve just published about our service levels during this crisis.  Currently inspections are running 1-3 days out, as you understand weather does a play a role.  We are able to operate at near full staff right now, although this can change.   I anticipate that plan review will be not be severely impacted, however underground inspections which are time sensitive could  see some delays.  Please remind builders working in the NE portion of our County that single trade inspections are also available – see website. 
 
https://www.chathamnc.org/services/central-permits-inspections


CHAPEL HILL (Chelsea Laws, Building & Devt Services Director)
 3/24/20: The Town of Chapel Hill has closed Town facilities to the public effective at 5 p.m. Monday, March 23, to further promote the idea of social distancing in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
 
However, the Town will remain open for business. Some employees are staffing offices and practicing social distancing. Others are working remotely. All are working to ensure that day-to-day operations of local government continue to the extent possible. Anyone with critical, timely needs for transactions at Town Hall can call 919-968-2743 and ask to speak with the department with which you are working. Complete building permit application packets can be emailed to permits@townofchapelhill.org or may be dropped off at Town Hall each Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the main entrance.
 
Social distancing means limiting interactions with other community members, staying at least six feet away from the next person, and limiting your trips away from home, unless you’re staying outdoors and away from others.
 
Payments can be made to the revenue office as follows:
 
  *   Payments by credit card can be made by calling 919-968-2759 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
  *   Payments by check or money order can be made by mail to “405 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Attn: Revenue Office” or can be delivered in person to the Town’s drop box outside of Town Hall (address above).
  *   Payments by cash (if no alternate payment method is available) can be delivered in person to the Town’s drop box outside of Town Hall between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Please have exact change only.
 
To meet the requirements of Open Meeting Laws, the Council Chamber at Town Hall will be available for limited public attendance (maximum of 10 people) at a virtual council meeting on Wednesday, March 25, beginning at 7 p.m. However, residents are strongly encouraged to view this meeting through internet (chapelhill.legistar.com/Calendar<https://chapelhill.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx>) or cable access (townofchapelhill.org/government/newsroom/multimedia<https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/newsroom/multimedia>). The only item on the agenda for the meeting is an update from Town staff on Chapel Hill’s response to the coronavirus. The Council will not be taking action on any items.
 
Other Town Service Adjustments
 
  *   Chapel Hill Public Library and Parks and Recreation facilities were closed on March 13. All programs and events are canceled until further notice.
  *   Chapel Hill Transit is operating on a modified schedule – the same schedule that is used on Saturdays during normal operations.
 
Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order
Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 120 Monday, March 23. The order extends the closure of K-12 public schools statewide through May 15, bans mass gatherings of more than 50 people, and closes some businesses. For more information, visit ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina<https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina>.
 
Need more info?
 
  *   For questions about Town services, the Town’s Call Center is taking calls at 919-969-5005 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  *   For health-related questions and questions about Orange County services (including recycling), call the Orange County Call Center at 919-245-6111, 8:30 a.m. to 5 pm daily.
     *   Sign up for text updates from the Orange County Health Department by texting ocnchealth to 888-777.
  *   For other health-related questions, call the NC Department of Health and Human Services (24/7) at 1-866-462-3821.
 

3/17/20: Currently the Town of Chapel Hill is on Condition 1 which means we are operating under reduced services.  At this time the CH Public Library and our parks and park facilities are closed to the public.  The Town has cancelled travel for all staff until the end of the month and most meetings until the end of the month.  The recommendation for those who have to meet is to maintain groups no larger than 10 people.  Building and Development Services Department and the Permit Center is currently still open to the public along with Town Hall and most other Town facilities.  We are encouraging customers to do business as electronically as possible to keep everyone safe.  The encouragement for Building and Development Services customers is to use the email permits@townofchapelhill.org and the phone (919) 968-2718 or (919) 969-5066 to communicate with staff about permits, projects, inspection requests and questions. Currently the inspectors are completing all inspections that are being requested until further notice.  The inspectors have been instructed to use good judgement when they arrive onsite for inspections. If they feel like conditions are unsafe, they will not enter the building or house and will ask applicants to requested another inspection when people are well.  We are pushing the CDC guidance of hand washing often, use of sanitizer, keeping hands away from faces and social distancing.
 
Since this is an ever evolving situation and decisions are being made with very short notice, please keep an eye about services changes at this website.

DURHAM, 3/24/20:  City Solid Waste centers are CLOSED to public, unless a Builder has a large commercial account already set up, they will not be granted access.

DURHAM (Pat Young, City-County Planning Department Director)
3/24/20: NO CHANGES REPORTED.
3/17/20:  As you are aware, the Planning Department (and the entire City and County organizations in Durham) were impacted by a (very) significant malware attack that has limited our operations, completely independent of the COVID-19 crisis. 
 
A detailed summary of impacts from both the malware attack and the COVID-19 situation on Planning Department operations can be found at this link (https://dsc.durhamnc.gov/221/Limited-development-services-due-to-malw).  A summary of the Citywide response to COVID-19 can be found at this link (https://durhamnc.gov/4013/City-Response-to-COVID-19-Coronavirus)
 
As you know, this situation is rapidly evolving - we will keep up to date information at the link in YELLOW above.
 
More information will be forthcoming ASAP - I am working with Gene Bradham on possible modifications to the Development Services Center operations to comply with Federal guidance (from earlier today) strongly recommending that groups of ten (10) or more persons not congregate in the same location.  Stay tuned (ie: you will be the first to know about any operational changes).
 
Please be assured that every effort is being made to minimize and mitigate the impact of this crisis on the development and home building industry, a key part of our economic base, but that public health measures are of paramount importance.

DURHAM (Gene Bradham, City-County Inspections Department Director)
3/24/20: City of Durham is not currently conducting inspections in owner-occupied homes.  They are working on establishing live remote inspections.

From a call at 11am, March 17th:
  • LDO is operational from public portal- you can live track and request inspections.
  • Hope to have the majority of desk-tops back & operational by EOB 3/17/20.
  • Digital Plan Submissions- hope to have capacity to accept digital plans electronically 1st thing, 3/18/20.
  • Inspectors are inspecting, following CDC guidelines of maintaining 6' distance from others. 

ORANGE COUNTY (Michael Rettie, Chief Building Official)

3/24/20: NO CHANGES REPORTED.
3/17/20:
  • Orange County is operating with minimal staff in office (one front counter and one back office, plus myself).
  • Our field inspectors are working from home and vehicles (not coming to office). We are scheduling and inspecting as normal (in abnormal situation).
  • What is changing is our plans along with applications and documentation is requested (but not required) to be submitted (PDF) electronically, If possible (call 919-245-2600 for appropriate contact for receiving these emails).
  • We are ONLY accepting drop-off and Pick-up of permits along with payments at front counter. Everything else goes through email or phone contact.
  • We are on a two week evaluation protocol by Management so for at least the next two weeks this is how we will be functioning (it can change as needs dictate).
  • Our inspectors are to have minimal contact on job sites and will not perform inspections if they feel the job site environment is unsafe or they are at risk (workers appear sick, etc.).
In this very difficult and challenging time, I ask that we all do our best to exercise patience and empathy with our municipal partners.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.





Email sent March 17, 2020, 3pm.
I have decided to send this to all active members, not just builders.  We are a community, so I want all of you to know what our builders/developers and municipal planning & inspections departments are dealing with. The following updates are taken verbatim from email communications with Planning & Inspection Department Heads.

CARRBORO (Patricia McGuire, Planning Director)

At the present time, the Town of Carrboro is making all reasonable efforts to continue operations with as little disruption as possible. This includes having at least a limited number of Planning, Zoning, and Inspections staff available to meet the public in person in designated areas at Town Hall and in accordance with social distancing recommendations.  All departmental staff are able to work remotely, including reviewing and approving permits. Inspections are still occurring.  Functions and abilities are subject to change depending on the circumstances.

CHATHAM COUNTY (David Camp, Central Permitting & Inspections Director)
I’ve ATTACHED what we’ve just published about our service levels during this crisis.  Currently inspections are running 1-3 days out, as you understand weather does a play a role.  We are able to operate at near full staff right now, although this can change.   I anticipate that plan review will be not be severely impacted, however underground inspections which are time sensitive could  see some delays.  Please remind builders working in the NE portion of our County that single trade inspections are also available – see website. 
 
https://www.chathamnc.org/services/central-permits-inspections


CHAPEL HILL (Chelsea Laws, Building & Devt Services Director)
Currently the Town of Chapel Hill is on Condition 1 which means we are operating under reduced services.  At this time the CH Public Library and our parks and park facilities are closed to the public.  The Town has cancelled travel for all staff until the end of the month and most meetings until the end of the month.  The recommendation for those who have to meet is to maintain groups no larger than 10 people.  Building and Development Services Department and the Permit Center is currently still open to the public along with Town Hall and most other Town facilities.  We are encouraging customers to do business as electronically as possible to keep everyone safe.  The encouragement for Building and Development Services customers is to use the email permits@townofchapelhill.org and the phone (919) 968-2718 or (919) 969-5066 to communicate with staff about permits, projects, inspection requests and questions. Currently the inspectors are completing all inspections that are being requested until further notice.  The inspectors have been instructed to use good judgement when they arrive onsite for inspections. If they feel like conditions are unsafe, they will not enter the building or house and will ask applicants to requested another inspection when people are well.  We are pushing the CDC guidance of hand washing often, use of sanitizer, keeping hands away from faces and social distancing.
 
Since this is an ever evolving situation and decisions are being made with very short notice, please keep an eye about services changes at this website.

DURHAM (Pat Young, City-County Planning Department Director)
As you are aware, the Planning Department (and the entire City and County organizations in Durham) were impacted by a (very) significant malware attack that has limited our operations, completely independent of the COVID-19 crisis. 
 
A detailed summary of impacts from both the malware attack and the COVID-19 situation on Planning Department operations can be found at this link (https://dsc.durhamnc.gov/221/Limited-development-services-due-to-malw).  A summary of the Citywide response to COVID-19 can be found at this link (https://durhamnc.gov/4013/City-Response-to-COVID-19-Coronavirus)
 
As you know, this situation is rapidly evolving - we will keep up to date information at the link in YELLOW above.
 
More information will be forthcoming ASAP - I am working with Gene Bradham on possible modifications to the Development Services Center operations to comply with Federal guidance (from earlier today) strongly recommending that groups of ten (10) or more persons not congregate in the same location.  Stay tuned (ie: you will be the first to know about any operational changes).
 
Please be assured that every effort is being made to minimize and mitigate the impact of this crisis on the development and home building industry, a key part of our economic base, but that public health measures are of paramount importance.

DURHAM (Gene Bradham, City-County Inspections Department Director)
From a call at 11am, March 17th:
  • LDO is operational from public portal- you can live track and request inspections.
  • Hope to have the majority of desk-tops back & operational by EOB 3/17/20.
  • Digital Plan Submissions- hope to have capacity to accept digital plans electronically 1st thing, 3/18/20.
  • Inspectors are inspecting, following CDC guidelines of maintaining 6' distance from others. 
Email received March 16th, 5pm:
Procedures are changing as quickly as I can type a response.
I just found out that the National guidelines are suggesting gatherings of no more than 10 people.
I had more than that number in my lobby every time I went up there today.
 
We may very well tell people tomorrow that we can only accept people in our lobby by appointment only (I know this will be a headache for our customers and for our staff). But we have to find a way to limit the numbers coming here at a given time. For those that show up without an appointment, we will probably issue a number and they can wait out in the open areas outside of our lobby.
 
We are still without computers for the majority of our Department. - THIS WAS UPDATED TODAY, as noted above.
 
All of our landlines are now working, and all of our field inspectors are still conducting inspections in the field with hand written notes (staff in the office are entering the results in the limited number of computers that we have available.

ORANGE COUNTY (Michael Rettie, Chief Building Official)
  • Orange County is operating with minimal staff in office (one front counter and one back office, plus myself).
  • Our field inspectors are working from home and vehicles (not coming to office). We are scheduling and inspecting as normal (in abnormal situation).
  • What is changing is our plans along with applications and documentation is requested (but not required) to be submitted (PDF) electronically, If possible (call 919-245-2600 for appropriate contact for receiving these emails).
  • We are ONLY accepting drop-off and Pick-up of permits along with payments at front counter. Everything else goes through email or phone contact.
  • We are on a two week evaluation protocol by Management so for at least the next two weeks this is how we will be functioning (it can change as needs dictate).
  • Our inspectors are to have minimal contact on job sites and will not perform inspections if they feel the job site environment is unsafe or they are at risk (workers appear sick, etc.).
In this very difficult and challenging time, I ask that we all do our best to exercise patience and empathy with our municipal partners.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.



 
Contact:
Holly Fraccaro, CEO
holly@hbadoc.com, 919-265-9350

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