Williston building inspectors busy with fast pace of construction

WILLISTON, N.D. When the Williston Building Department receives a delivery of new plans to review, they joke with the delivery driver to take them back.

The department is trying to keep up as its on track to break last years record of 929 building permits totaling nearly $358 million.

At the end of September, the department had already approved 856 permits totaling nearly $288 million.

Now were getting bombarded because its fall and everyone wants to start work before it freezes, said Kelly Aberle, office manager and plans examiner for the Williston Building Department. It gets overwhelming at times.

It takes four to six weeks for the city to complete commercial plan reviews, and about three to four weeks for residential projects, Aberle said.

We try to get them out as fast as we can, Aberle said. Some days you wonder when its going to stop.

The office has seven workers now, compared with three employees three years ago, she said. They plan to add more staff, but theyre already running out of space in the office they moved into just two years ago.

I think for the most part we have a great handle on making sure things are being done properly and to code, Aberle said.

Williams County also is seeing an intense pace of construction. Building inspector Jim Horton projects the county will exceed 600 building permits this year. Last year the county approved more than 400, he said.

Horton drove 962 miles in one week recently to complete building inspections in the county, including the cities of Tioga and Ray.

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Williston building inspectors busy with fast pace of construction