They would do away with moving target building codes.
So what's a moving target building code? High rolling developers and local politicians have long used moving target building codes to bankrupt smaller developers, builders and start-up small business owners who own properties the high rollers want but cannot buy on their terms. Here's how it works.
The owner of the property begins building or remodeling the property. He or she works diligently to keep everything up to the current building code. Then suddenly a building inspector walks in and surprises them with a new code requirement that didn't exist the day before. The target has been moved and it is now going to cost thousands more to meet the new code. Ask around, it happens a lot in Greensboro.
In the case of the old feed mill on South Elm Street here in Greensboro, owner Eric Robert was hit with a $27.000 backflow preventer valve BEFORE the new requirement was even written into the new code. Prior to that not a single builder or developer in Greensboro had ever heard of a backflow preventer valve. Nobody knows why they're needed as our water system is under constant pressure applied by above ground water tanks. Even power outages don't cause a loss of water pressure in Greensboro and yet because one developer wanted Eric out of business, every builder of a commercial building in Greensboro must now add thousands to the cost of every new commercial building or remodeling job.
That's economic development? And that was just one of the moving targets Eric was forced to hit. No doubt, he will face more because he has the balls to stand up!
This happens because certain connected developers have undue influence over local government. That or our leaders are idiots-- you decide? Who wanted to get Eric's property for chump change? I don't know but if it were me I'd begin by looking into the owners of the planned $80 Million Dollar South Elm Redevelopment Corporation that just happens to be next door to Eric's old mill. You know, the property just sold by the City of Greensboro. The property with plans that are being kept secret even from City Council but are approved by Council anyway.
I'd also be concerned about moving target building codes if I were considering the 60-40 deal proposed by Goldie Wells between Skip Alston and the Renascence Community Co-op last Tuesday night. You see, Goldie, bless her heart, proposed that Skip and his partners own 60% of the property and the co-op own 40% but the catch is that Skip's group will not be renovating the interior of the grocery store. And her proposal was that if either side failed to meet 100% of their commitment within 2 years then the other side gets 100% of the property.
Now add moving target building codes to the mix remembering that Skip Alston is the more powerful, better connected developer in the deal and I think you'll understand why Goldie offered Skip that deal. And why that deal and any other deal involving developers will be toxic to the co-op and to Greensboro taxpayers.
And now you understand fully why Greensboro leaders, even Skip and Goldie, really don't care about economic development.
