Title
Appealing a Vacant Building Registration Fee Warning Letter by Wessam Sonbol at 1446 RICE STREET.
Date/Time of 1st LH: Tuesday, August 3, 2021, teleconference between 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Purpose of Appeal:
This building was purchased as a vacant building, and I have been working on renovating it. Throughout this process, we have been paying city taxes, building taxes, and all different types of building license fees for all the different types of permits.
Our intention is not to leave the building vacant, but to ensure it is up and running by October of 2021.
I am quite unsure as to why I have to pay this fee along with all other fees. To date, we have paid nearly $17,000 for taxes and other building permits. I would greatly appreciate a break, otherwise, this feels like blood sucking & no mercy.
Date of Order(s) Under Appeal: July 16, 2021
Inspector/Key Staff: James Hoffman
Legislative Hearing Staff Comments: VB Category commercial opened on 7/16/2019 due to fire. 7/19/19-90 days waiver due to fire; 10/25/19-continue 90 days waiver
Body
WHEREAS, in the matter of the Appeal of Wessam Sonbol to a Vacant Building Registration Fee Warning Letter at 1446 RICE STREET, the Legislative Hearing Officer has reviewed the appeal and considered the testimony of City staff and the appellant; and
WHEREAS, the Legislative Hearing Officer recommends that the City Council waive the vacant building fee for 90 days to October 15, 2021; Now, Therefore, Be It
RESOLVED, that the Saint Paul City Council hereby accepts and adopts the Legislative Hearing Officer's recommendation in this matter.