The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Anyone reading the news headlines would believe that home building has almost come to a halt, but last year the Town of Peru did not follow the national trends.  Code Enforcement Officer Paul Blaine issued 21 single family/modular home building permits last year, an almost 200% increase over 2007 when he issued 11 permits. The homes were estimated to have a value of $4,178,500.

Blaine said, “I was a little surprised by 2008 building activity.  Our office’s revenue also increased significantly from $23,106 to $34,626.”  Peru’s building activity was even more significant when compared to the much larger Town of Plattsburgh, which issued only 16 single/two-family/modular permits in 2008.  Building activity in both towns has declined significantly in the past several years. In 2005 Peru issued 48 single family/modular home permits and the Town of Plattsburgh issued 52.  

Blaine said most of the residential building activity in the Peru hamlet took place in Buttonwood Estates and that building activity outside the hamlet was scattered throughout the town.  Looking ahead to 2009 Blaine said, “I anticipate that 2009 will see a slight decrease in total building permits after a very solid year for 2008. Commercial projects include the recently completed veterinary hospital on Bear Swamp Road, a coffee bar at McDonald’s and a possible take-out location for Pasquale’s Pizza.”

Blaine’s office discovered 18 zoning violations last year. Common violations include failing to comply with required property line setback requirements; starting a project without a permit; and not calling the code enforcement officer for required project inspections. Property maintenance violations are also occurring. They include having more than one unlicensed vehicle on-site and open rubbish storage.