In This Issue: Our Staff Can Be Your Guides on the Road to Success...Granson to Succeed Bartl as Director of Code Enforcement...We're Hiring
Code Monthly July 2016

Your Guides on the Road to Success

Building in any community can be daunting. In addition to permitting and inspections, there are requirements for zoning, environmental impact, and other considerations. To help our customers navigate the waters at any stage of their projects, we have a number of staff to who can offer guidance.

 

Before or at the beginning of a project

Not sure where to begin? Our new Customer Service Center is usually a good place to start. We have staff trained to answer your questions, from basics on how to get started to more complex issues that may be a barrier for you. You can call Customer Service Center staff at 980-314-CODE, walk-in during business hours, or email code.enforcement@mecklenburgcountync.gov. 


If you need help determining whether a project requires a permit, or how building code might affect your plans, it’s a good idea to seek out technical assistance near the beginning of your project. Our Residential Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) and Commercial Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) staff are trained code officials who can advise you on the specifics of your project, whether you’re a homeowner planning a deck or renovation, or an experienced contractor with a technical question.


CTAC and RTAC may be reached at 980-314-CODE, by walking in during business hours, or by e-mail at RTAC@mecklenburgcountync.gov or CTAC@mecklenburgcountync.gov.

 

During a project

Once your project is under way, we have staff who can help if you have a question or hit a snag. Our code enforcement managers (CEM’s) can help when a customer issue cannot be resolved by staff in plan review or inspections, when customers want help planning for complicated or unique projects, or anticipate a project will be particularly difficult and want to plan ahead or need one-on-one guidance.

Each project is assigned a CEM who specializes in that type of project. A customer has one CEM when the project is in the plan review phase, and another CEM that specializes in inspections when the project moves into the construction phase. 

 

Your Plan Review and Permitting CEM is listed in the remarks section of your permit documentation, along with contact information. The plan review and permitting CEM’s are as follows:

Your Inspections CEM is listed at the bottom of your permit, along with contact information. The inspections CEM’s are as follows:

 

Granson to succeed Bartl as Director of Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement

Bartl and Granson
 

County Manager Dena Diorio has announced that Patrick Granson, Code Enforcement's director of plan review and permitting, will succeed Jim Bartl as the director of Code Enforcement. Mr. Bartl will retire from Mecklenburg County in February 2017.

"Patrick has been instrumental in assisting with the customer service enhancements that have been underway for the last two years," Diorio said. "I believe Patrick is the right candidate to lead and continue the progress we have made in providing code enforcement services in Mecklenburg County."

LUESA Director Ebenezer Gujjarlapudi said Granson became the obvious choice after a thorough search.

"I am delighted that Patrick will be the next director for Code Enforcement," Gujjarlapudi said. "He has long been a valued leader in our organization, and after a nationwide search, it became evident to us that he was the most qualified candidate, both because of his knowledge of state building code and because of his focus on helping our customers succeed.  We've made significant progress in the last 20 years under the leadership of Jim Bartl, and I am excited about the road ahead."

Mr. Granson holds N.C. Standard Level III and ICC certifications in building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing and fire. He holds a Master Code Professional certification and is a Certified Building Official. He has also received accreditations from the United States Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED AP).

Mr. Granson, who holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Belmont Abbey College, has been with Mecklenburg County for 26 years, serving as code official, assistant core process manager for building inspections, and project manager.

"Public safety, service and community are three of my great passions, and I have been fortunate to spend my career working to positively impact those in Mecklenburg County," Granson said. "I am deeply honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead this outstanding team of professionals. Under the leadership of Jim Bartl, Mecklenburg County has become a national leader among code enforcement authorities, and I look forward to continuing and building upon that work."

Mr. Bartl, who will have served more than 20 years as Mecklenburg County's chief code official when he retires, is a licensed architect in Missouri, Illinois and North Carolina. He previously practiced architecture with Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum's Healthcare Group and Westminster Company, both in St. Louis. He holds a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a Master of Architecture from Washington University in St. Louis.

"Patrick has been an asset to the team at Code Enforcement throughout my 20-year tenure as director, especially these last years as the director of permitting and plan review," Bartl said. "His dedication to ensuring life safety through building code compliance is absolutely unwavering, as is his commitment to going above and beyond for our customers. I could not be more pleased to know that Patrick is the next director of this agency."