Ferndale to allow construction to finish to prevent damage during coronavirus stoppage
Ferndale has clarified its policy on what is essential construction work during the coronavirus pandemic, which will allow some builders to finish their projects.
In a news release on Monday, April 20, city officials reported they have worked to make sure the new guidelines fit Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order but also prevent projects from being ruined by the elements or vandalism.
“Our first goal is to keep everyone safe,” said Ferndale Community Development Director Haylie Miller in the news release “And the best way to do that is for construction sites not to be active. That said, we understand that many projects were stopped immediately upon the governor’s order, which leaves the location vulnerable to theft, vandalism, deterioration and spoilage. We want to help prevent those impacts.”
City officials also noted concern about these unfinished projects catching on fire, possibly by someone setting up camp in an unfinished project.
Miller said in an email to The Bellingham Herald that approximately 20 to 30 homes need to finish framing in preparation for sheathing and then siding and roofs. Approximately 10 to 20 homes are nearing completion for final occupancy. City staff anticipates working with individual commercial projects to determine the best course of action.
When the governor first released the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, it noted that construction could be finished to prevent “spoilage” of the project. That put many construction projects, including single family homes, on hold.
That term can have a wide range of interpretations, so the city came up with its definition for construction, which is “The action of construction materials spoiling, especially the deterioration and degradation of materials exposed to the elements.”
The city also noted that all construction activity must meet social distancing as well as appropriate health and worker protection measures before proceeding. City staff will be actively monitoring these sites for compliance.
The permit office continues to work on reviewing project applications and preparing for them to be issued, Miller said. Those permits will then be issued once the governor’s order is lifted.
This story was originally published April 20, 2020 at 4:18 PM.
