News & Info

OMB Organizes Development Summit
in Mason County

On February 21, 2008, OMB will host a Development Summit with the City of Shelton and Mason County Building Officials to discuss issues being experienced by the building community. The theme of the Summit is "Predictability in the Process" and the goals are to discuss on-going issues in an informal setting and establish timelines for a variety of anticipated new regulations and changes.

In December 2007 outgoing Mason County Chapter President, Roger Denny, sent Mason County's Community Development Director a letter recapping concerns surrounding permit fee increases, new regulations, county staffing levels and GeoTech Review process concerns still needing to be addressed. He expressed concern that 2008 would continue to bring about more challenges for our industry and that it was imperative the questions and concerns raised by our members during the course of 2007 not be forgotten.

Mason County Chapter President for 2008, Andrew Spear, has been meeting with OMB staff and assessing ways to work with the local jurisdictions to establish predictability in the planning, permitting and building process. Chapter President Spear has expressed his frustration with the manner in which new regulations are being implemented and not knowing tentative timelines for when local jurisdictions plan additional changes.

Chapter President Spear stated "I'm pleased to see an opportunity for all of us to come together and discuss our expectations for doing business in 2008 and hopefully this Summit will help strengthen our working relationship."

The Development Summit will include presentations by OMB and the City of Shelton and Mason County Building Officials on what to expect in 2008. Representatives from the Realtor's Association, Mason County Economic Development and others will also be invited to participate. Members will have an opportunity to discuss concerns with city and county inspectors, planners, public works staff and others. OMB appreciates the City of Shelton and Mason County's willingness to collaborate on the Summit and providing the opportunity for our members to be proactively involved in the process.

The Summit will be held from 8:30 am to noon on February 21, 2008, at the Shelton Civic Center located at 525 W. Cota Street. The event is free and all interested members are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. To RSVP for the event, please contact the Olympia Master Builders at 360-754-0914 or 1-800-456-6473.