All articles tagged with #permits
Orland Park, Illinois, has suspended all fiber-optic construction permits due to numerous complaints about property damage, unaddressed issues, and safety concerns, including a recent power outage caused by contractor errors, prompting the village to enforce stricter regulations on internet service providers.
The Interior Department has issued a secretarial order restricting permits for solar and wind projects on federal lands unless they match the energy density of traditional power sources like coal, gas, or nuclear, potentially halting many renewable projects and emphasizing a focus on land use efficiency over environmental benefits.
A Milken Institute report highlights that California's film and TV industry is suffering due to high costs, complex permitting processes, and outdated policies, leading to a decline in productions and jobs. The report recommends reforms such as increasing tax incentives, streamlining permits, and restructuring FilmLA to make California more competitive with other locations like Georgia, Canada, and the UK, which benefit from lower costs and more efficient systems.
Walt Disney World is set to begin the permit process for the "Beyond Big Thunder" project, which is expected to be the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom. The development behind the park will pave the way for new lands themed to Pixar's "Coco," "Encanto," and Disney Villains, with water management permits set to be filed in the coming weeks. This expansion, first announced at D23 Expo 2022, is described as being similar in scope to Pandora — The World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with more announcements anticipated in the future.
New York City's mobile food vendors, like Mr. Mousa of the Halal Plates cart, face a daunting challenge in obtaining permits due to a longstanding cap and a lengthy waiting list. With almost 9,500 people on waiting lists and only 71 new permits issued so far, many vendors resort to renting permits for exorbitant amounts, such as the $18,000 paid by Mr. Mousa every two years. This situation highlights the difficulties faced by small businesses in navigating city regulations and the high costs associated with operating food carts in New York City.
President Joe Biden has decided to halt permits for LNG (liquefied natural gas) projects under pressure from environmentalists and climate campaigners. This move aligns with his administration's commitment to combat climate change and transition towards renewable energy sources.
Home construction in December saw a 4.3% drop, but authorized residential permits rose 1.9%, indicating future activity. Single-family construction is expected to continue its upward trend, while multifamily structures also showed growth. Despite the drop in housing starts, the warm weather in November and December was a contributing factor. Looking ahead, it's predicted that mortgage rates won't decrease significantly, potentially leading to continued demand for new builds and stronger construction activity.
Housing starts and permits increased in October, with new residential construction rising 1.9% to 1.372 million units and authorized residential permits gaining 1.1% to 1.487 million units. However, the activity remains below trend, and both permitting activity and home building are below expectations. Multifamily construction has slowed down, contributing to a surge in new supply and a slowdown in rent growth. On the single-family side, starts increased slightly, but builders still face challenges due to high demand and limited supply. Wall Street is raising forecasts for housing construction, with expectations of increased activity in 2024 and 2025.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has suspended the permits of autonomous vehicle company Cruise, a subsidiary of General Motors, citing safety concerns. The suspension does not affect the company's permit for testing with a safety driver. The DMV's decision comes after reports of Cruise's robotaxis making wrong turns, stalling in the middle of the road, and interfering with first responders. Cruise has also faced scrutiny following a hit-and-run crash involving one of its vehicles. The DMV has provided steps for Cruise to apply for reinstatement of the suspended permits.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors has approved permits for additional concerts in Golden Gate Park, to be organized by Another Planet Entertainment, the company behind Outside Lands. These "headliner-driven" shows will take place at the park's Polo Fields the weekend after the music festival for the next three years. While some residents have expressed concerns about increased traffic, the concerts are expected to generate revenue for the city and provide economic benefits. The smaller concerts will feature a single headline act and supporting acts, using the existing stage footprint of the Polo Fields. The permits were approved by a 10-1 vote, with Supervisor Connie Chan being the sole vote against.
Hilton Head Island will not issue permits for a new development until a property dispute between a 93-year-old woman and the developer is resolved. The ongoing battle involves a portion of land in the proposed development that both sides claim is theirs. The developer has sued the woman, alleging that her satellite dish, shed, and porch are delaying construction, while she claims the lawsuit is an attempt to force her to sell the land. Town officials are urging both parties to reach a resolution, and the dispute has gained attention from celebrities who have donated to the woman's cause.
Mecklenburg County has revoked permits for the National Whitewater Center to hold fireworks shows on July 3 and Independence Day due to safety concerns raised by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The police chief outlined issues such as traffic problems, trespassing, and inadequate safety plans in a letter to county and city managers. The fire marshal's office rescinded the July 4 permit based on these concerns. The Whitewater Center still has a permit for Monday's fireworks, but it is unclear if they will be able to obtain a new permit for Tuesday's event.
The party where a mass shooting occurred in Willowbrook, Illinois did not have the proper permits, according to DuPage County Board Commissioner Brian Krajewski. The permitting process would have involved an extensive evaluation of the proposed party and likely would have included requirements for additional security. The DuPage County Judicial Public Safety Committee is now doing a deeper dive into what happened, and what the county might learn from this tragedy. A plan to add a community policing headquarters to the apartment complex across the street from the mass shooting scene was proposed years ago and needs to be revisited.
US single-family homebuilding projects surged in May by the most in over three decades, with permits for future construction also climbing, indicating a possible turnaround for the housing market after being hit by Federal Reserve interest rate hikes. However, credit conditions remain tight, which could make it challenging for builders to keep pace with May's rebound. While some economists are skeptical about the sustainability of the surge, others believe that home construction will add to US economic growth in the second half of this year.
On-location filming in Los Angeles has plummeted by 69.5% due to the ongoing Writers Guild strike, with only seven scripted TV series having permits to film this week. The strike, which shows no sign of abating, has caused TV show productions to shut down across the country. The WGA is demanding significant increases in compensation, minimum staffing, duration of employment, and the establishment of viewer-based streaming residuals, among other issues. The AMPTP claims its contract offer was "generous" and is committed to finding workable solutions.