San Mateo County Grand Jury
• 2006-2007
• Agency Response
Response to:
Town of Atherton Building Department
Issue | Background | Findings | Conclusions | Recommendations | Responses | Attachments Interim Report: Town of
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F4
Findings and Recommendations 4 findings
F1
Page 3
Request that the MPFPD examine all substantial construction projects with open building permits for potential health and safety violations.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Page 1
Request that the MPFPD examine all substantial construction projects with open building permits for potential health and safety violations.
F2
Page 3
Request that the MPFPD examine all projects constructed during the tenure of the previous Building Official that were not reviewed for fire safety.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Page 1
Request that the MPFPD examine all projects constructed during the tenure of the previous Building Official that were not reviewed for fire safety.
F3
Page 3
Publish the results of these examinations by April 1, 2007. The Grand Jury further recommends that the Atherton Town Council: 4. Finalize and adopt an ordinance that defines when MPFPD approval of building construction plans is required prior to issuance of a permit.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Page 1
Publish the results of these examinations by April 1, 2007. The Grand Jury further recommends that the Atherton Town Council:
F5
Page 3
Reconsider the current policy that exempts all alterations of existing structures from the requirements of the Town sprinkler ordinance and from the MPFPD approval.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Page 1
Reconsider the current policy that exempts all alterations of existing structures from the requirements of the Town sprinkler ordinance and from the MPFPD approval.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 3Phase I, II and III audits of the Building Department correctly assessed the deficiencies in the Department procedures and operations, and the recommendations for corrective action in the reports are appropriate and necessary. The Grand Jury has encountered mounting evidence of irregular or improperly issued building permits that should motivate the Town to examine fully all open permits for health and safety problems. Fire department approval of building construction plans prior to issuance of a building permit, a standard practice in other communities, should be required in Atherton. The Town should review all open substantial construction projects that have not been reviewed or approved by the MPFPD. The practice of exempting alterations to existing buildings from MPFPD approval, regardless of the extent of the alteration, may put the health and safety of the building occupants at risk.
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.