Building permit red tape upsets businessman
Apparent misunderstand prompts confusing discussion at fiscal court meeting

Above, Lyon County officials break ground for a new 100-foot by 75-foot community center. From left are: Frank Wallace, building inspector, Magistrate Charles Ferguson, Greg Washham, maintenance foreman, Magistrate Buddy Nichols, Keith Smith of Crouch Construction and Judge-Executive Jimmy Campbell.—Photo furnished

An apparent misunderstanding between a local businessman and a building inspector led to a confusing discussion at Thursday’s meeting of Lyon County Fiscal Court.
Ronnie Critcheloe, owner of The Cabin Bait & Tackle in Suwanee, expressed frustration regarding being unable to obtain a building permit locally.
“I’ve been trying to get a building permit,” Critcheloe told the court. “I was told if I waited until November it would be no problem to get a permit.”
He accused building inspector Frank Wallace of misleading him.
“Frank has known since August, and I think the ball has been dropped,” Critcheloe said.
Critcheloe said he sold his building and cannot stay there after February. He said he has obtained a building site on U.S. 62 in Kuttawa from the Kuttawa Relocation Foundation, and plans to build a 6,000-square-foot structure. But the deed calls for the building to be completed within a year.
“It’s written in the deed - I’ve got one year to have this place operational,” Critcheloe said. “I didn’t realize it would be such an ordeal.”
Harold Henderson, foundation treasurer, said by phone Friday that the foundation donated the approximately 300-foot by 300-foot site to Critcheloe contingent upon his meeting certain deed requirements.
The court contracted with Wallace several months ago to inspect duplexes, and buildings for small commercial operations. However, because the county has not passed ordinances covering expanded commercial jurisdiction, Wallace cannot issue a building permit for a structure as large as Critcheloe wants to build.
A business must obtain a permit for such large buildings directly from the Office of Housing, Building & Construction in Frankfort. The process takes 11 days to two weeks.
“I’m a little bit disappointed that this county wasn’t prepared for somebody to to put up a 6,000-square-foot commercial building,” Critcheloe told the court.
Judge-Executive Jimmy Campbell said the court has never had the problem before.
“Tell me where we go from here?” Critcheloe asked.
Wallace suggested he could fax a request for a permit to Frankfort immediately.
Magistrate Buddy Nichols said if he had the money Critcheloe has already spent on the project, he would go to Frankfort to expedite permit acquisition.
Later in the meeting the court voted to have an ordinance prepared adopting the statewide fee schedule for residential and commercial buildings. Now it would only apply to Kuttawa because that city has passed the appropriate ordinances.
On another issue, the court voted to participate in the Natural Resource Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Program to help remove debris caused by the January ice storm from creeks.
Gaylon W. King, soil conservation technician from the service’s Princeton office, explained that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay 75 percent of the cost. The county will pay the remaining 25 percent, King said.
The county would contract for the debris removal and set the prices, King said, adding that the contractor would have 60 days to remove the debris. “The project must be finished before the county is paid,” King said.
In other business the court:
 Granted a 10-year nonexclusive franchise for cable television service to Galaxy Cablevision.
 Approved affidavits for temporary employees, Jeff Carroll, Eddie King, and Mike Nottom. The men will clean up litter around the county.
 Heard a request from Willis Henson that the court widen Mount Zion Road by 18 inches on each side. Henson said the road is narrow and unsafe, and the homes on the road probably generate $20,000 in tax revenue for the county. He said there are two homes valued at $800,000 and his home has appreciated in value from $200,000 to half a million dollars since he has owned it. Also there are building sites for other homes.
He said the homeowners association in his subdivision think it would be a “win-win for you all to widen that road.”
“We believe it will enhance that area and enhance your tax base,” Henson said.
Magistrate Steve Cruce said the court would “take a look at it.”
 Appointed Lee Perkins to complete his father, Jack Perkins’ term on Fire District No. 1 Board. Jack Perkins resigned for health reasons.
 Reappointed Nat Scholfied and appointed Tom Buchanan to the Extension Council Board.
 Accepted Derick Sanderson’s bid of $25 each for two old voting machines the county has declared surplus equipment.