PORT ANGELES — Clallam County officials are molding the language in a draft ordinance that will create a Board of Appeals for building code violations.

Composed of citizens with a wide-range of expertise, the board would replace the hearings examiner in the appeal process.

No formal action was taken on Monday as the three county commissioners hashed out revisions made by the permit advisory board and Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Doug Jensen.

Commissioner Mike Chapman warned that it could take up to a year to form the board if the legal process drags on.

“I would support the draft language we have,” Chapman said on Monday.

Commissioner Steve Tharinger expects it to happen sooner.

“I hope to have something by the end of January,” he said.

Hearing held

Three public comments in favor of the new board were taken in a public hearing last month.

John Miller, Department of Community Development director, opposed its formation during the same meeting on Nov. 10.

Miller testified that a Board of Appeals would be unnecessary. He also said his department will work with such a board if the commissioners form one.

“I think the board [of commissioners] is interested in having this process developed,” Tharinger said in the work session.

“We want to work this out.”

A hearings examiner has overseen the county’s appeals process since 2001.

Tharinger asked Jensen if Clallam County could have an appellate board for building permits but not the rest of the land-use code.

State law says a building permit is a land-use decision, Jensen said.

“There is a philosophical distinction, perhaps,” he said.

“There is not a legal distinction.”

Tharinger said he would meet with Jensen to get some clarity on the language in the ordinance.

Courthouse work

Meanwhile, the commissioners will take action today on an agreement with Berona Engineers Inc. for improvements to the air systems and solar panels at the Clallam County Courthouse and jail.

The $99,913 contract covers the design phase. The project will include energy-efficiency motors.

It is expected to go to bid next spring and be completed by the end of next year, said Joel Winborn, Clallam County parks, fair and facilities manager.

The commissioners will also consider a $26,440 contract with K&H Printers to print 23,000 ballots for the special election on Feb. 9, 2010.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.