The city of Blaine’s Community Development Services (CDS) Department has decreased its service levels and response times to accommodate for short staffing.
CDS will limit its in-person service hours at the planning and building front counter in city hall, according to a June 8 city of Blaine news release. The reduced hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon Mondays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursdays. The office will be closed Wednesdays and Fridays. CDS staff will be available by phone, email and individual appointments from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
CDS will extend the timelines for building and land use permit review and approval. Building inspection requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. City staff also expect a longer response time to private property complaints, such as overgrown yards or junk vehicles.
The department is down from six to four staff members, CDS director Stacie Pratschner wrote in an email. The city is currently advertising for the building official and a city planner position, she wrote.
The reduced hours are expected to last through the end of the summer, according to the news release.
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