HomeMy WebLinkAbout101122 Nordland storeDear Concerned Citizen:
The Department of Community Development (DCD) appreciates your outreach to us on behalf of the Nordland Store.
Jefferson County understands the community’s desire to accelerate approval of the building permit for the Nordland Store. Until recently, however, DCD had only received a re-roof application.
Unfortunately, this re-roofing application only covers replacement of the roofing materials and does not address other structural repairs necessary to address fire damage and reconstruction.
In addition, because the store is a commercial structure and serves all members of our community, including those who experience disabilities, the reconstruction needs to conform to
state and local building codes.
The delay in issuing a permit/certificate of occupancy to the Nordland Store is primarily due to these facts:
1. Jefferson County issued a re-roof permit to protect the structure in 2020.
2. No one applied for the required demolition permit with Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency asbestos testing.
3. No one applied for the required restoration permit with structural calculations
4. Someone physically covered the structural supports and sheathing without the required underfloor, plumbing, framing, air-seal, insulation, wallboard, and roofing inspections to ensure
a safely (re)built structure, which is required.
5. Jefferson County awaits a certification/verification stamped by a design professional who performed the initial damage analysis, confirming satisfactory completion of the completed
work, which could substitute for state required inspections.
6. Jefferson County has yet to investigate the structure’s compliance with the state building codes, as the county has neither received the design professional’s certification/verification
that the reconstructed building is safe for occupancy nor verified through inspections (invasive/destructive investigation such as removal of materials/finishes to inspect covered work)
so it may issue a certificate of occupancy.
In addition, the Nordland Store is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) designated by the the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Higher regulatory standards apply
in SFHA for the purpose of reducing loss of life and damage to property in a major flood event. Failure of the county to implement and adhere to special flood hazard regulations could
have costly consequences for all Jefferson County citizens with federally-subsidized flood hazard insurance, because FEMA can and will raise flood insurance rates in areas where there
is noncompliance, or even revoke the insurance program entirely. In accordance with FEMA and Jefferson County Building Code regulations, the county must determine whether the structure
needs to be elevated one foot above flood waters in a 100-year event, based on the extent/cost of the repairs or document that it is unnecessary. We are working with the owners to complete
this determination.
The county is committed to working with the owners of the Nordland Store and all citizens who own property in special flood hazard areas to ensure they understand and comply with the
regulations. In the last 10 days, DCD received information requested from the owners, contacted the owners by phone to discuss these FEMA requirements and provided technical assistance.
If you want more information about the SFHA, please feel free to watch either of the attached videos, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdbjQH66EQs <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdbjQH66EQs>
(less than 4 minutes – resilient construction) and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oohcafZOBLo <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oohcafZOBLo> (one hour: understanding A zones such
as where the Nordland Store is located).
Thank you for reaching out to us.
Warm regards,
Jefferson County
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
From: Planning <planning@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 7:54 AM
To: Brent Butler <BButler@co.jefferson.wa.us>
Subject: FW: Nordland store
Planning Staff
Dept. of Community Development
planning@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:planning@co.jefferson.wa.us>
360-379-4450
From: Nerreca <nerreca@aol.com <mailto:nerreca@aol.com> >
Sent: Friday, October 7, 2022 12:00 PM
To: jeffbocc <jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:jeffbocc@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; DCD Front Staff <dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us <mailto:dcd@co.jefferson.wa.us> >; Planning <planning@co.jefferson.wa.us
<mailto:planning@co.jefferson.wa.us> >
Subject: Nordland store
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To whom it may concern at Jefferson County Department of Community Development and Planning and County Commissioners:
The Nordland General Store was nearly destroyed by a fire on the morning of November 5, 2020. This fire not only destroyed the interior of the building and all of its contents, but took
away a critical community space on Marrowstone Island. It was a historic, essential business for the island that included the post office and a focal point for community – both social
and economic. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the County was quick and helpful in getting the rebuilding underway. The permit was for restoring the building to its basic, prior
condition (like for like) and the owners (Tom and Sue Rose) proceeded with licensed contractors to do the work. After almost 2 years, the building has been restored as agreed upon.
It has been done since May 2022 and yet the County has not signed off on its completion. In early September, the owners were able to get a meeting with DCD Director Brent Butler, and
Shannen Cartmel, Planning Supervisor, regarding what was holding up the finalization. They were told to submit various records and that everything would move along quickly. All records
were submitted and after 3 ½ weeks a letter was received outlining 9 more steps required for completion, most redundant with what has already been submitted and/or are information the
County already currently has on file. We are asking the County to quickly approve the Nordland Store building for business as it was, with no additional changes. This means: approved
for the same amount of seating, grocery and coffee/limited baked goods with the single porta potty as it was previously. This was approved previously and it seems more than reasonable
to approve it again. The second anniversary of the fire is fast approaching and it’s heartbreaking that the building is ready and yet unable to open. The almost 2 years of lost revenue
for owners has put the viability of the store in jeopardy. They have tirelessly worked to restore the building with full compliance to the law as well as the related bureaucratic responsibilities.
Due to the slow, uncommunicative pace of the County they are out of money, time and patience. It is unreasonable to proceed in such a fashion with a long standing local business that
suffered a tragic fire. The Nordland Store and Post Office are important institutions on the island. Not only is it convenient to have supplies and postal service on island but it is
the heart of the community. It’s where we meet our friends and neighbors and discuss important news. Its role as gathering place has contributed to our effectiveness as a real-life,
committed and harmonious community. We are all waiting for the Nordland Store to reopen. Please make it happen now.
Thank you,
Nancy Erreca
d0011a4@mail2013mbx1.internal.county.domain>
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