Single, multiple-unit housing boost Shiretown, municipality's building permit values

By Brent Fox

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

Housing – single-family and multiple – boosted building permit values in the municipality and Shiretown for July.

The upward trend continued from June, which saw much activity in the agricultural sector in the municipality.

Figures compiled by the Kings County Community Development Services department show that the total value of building permits issued by the Kentville Planning and Development department during July totaled $8,173,220, for a fiscal year-to-date tally of $9,829130.

This is compared to $1,399,060 and $6,327,714 for the same periods a year ago.

Kentville Planning and Development department development officer Frank MacFarlane said, “it’s positive, for sure.”

These and further seniors’ developments and the upcoming new school project will help the trend. “The projects will continue the economic growth in the town.”

Last month, the town department issued five permits for single-family housing construction last month for a fiscal year-to-date tally of nine; no duplexes for six; 37 apartments for 37; and a total residential count of 42 housing units for 52.

This is compared to three and 11 single units, and six and six duplexes, for total residential tallies of nine and 17 respectively.

The multi-family project last month accounted for $6,734,600 of the total value.

Municipality’s figures

Community Development Services reported that the building permit values for the municipality last month topped $6,402,179, for a fiscal year-to-date total of $30,375,460. This is compared to $4,963,820 and $30,931,641 respectively for the same periods a year ago.

Last month, single-family unit construction accounted for $4,565,544, while duplexes accounted for $443,760, and multi-family $443,440.

Major industrial, commercial and institutional projects for which the municipality’s department issued permits last month include: a $61,440 agricultural structure in West Black Rock; a $60,000 commercial renovation in New Minas; a $48,000 commercial renovation in north Kentville; a $41,600 agricultural structure in north Kingston; and a $32,000 commercial structure in New Minas.

Last month’s estimates were the highest and the fiscal year-to-date estimates the second highest so far this decade. The lowest values respectively were just under $4 million in 2001 and 2004, and just under $20 million in 2004.

The department issued permits last month for 18 single-family units, for a fiscal year-to-date total of 59; four duplexes for eight; four apartments for 30; one mobile placement for six; for total residential units of 27 and 103.

The department approved five subdivision plans, for a total of 36, and six and 74 lots respectively.

This is compared to 21 and 70 plans and 29 and 111 lots a year ago.

Berwick issued no permits in July for no value, and a fiscal year-to-date value of $215,540. This compared with $3,000 and $748,500 for the same periods in 2006.

June rebound

Meanwhile, there seems to have been a rebound in building permit values in the municipality during June, with agricultural projects the largest part of it.

County building permit values for the municipality reached $8,918,383 during June, for a fiscal year-to-date total of $23,955,281.

The respective figures for the same periods last year were $8,817,026 and $26,004,821.

In June, permit values for agricultural projects totaled $2,986,200; single-family construction, $2,625,023; industrial, $1,495,200; duplexes, $288,400; and multi-family, $235,480.

The overall housing construction tally in June was 18 single and 76 total units.

Major industrial, commercial and institutional projects for which the department issued permits during the summer included: a $1,495,200 industrial addition in Coldbrook; a $1,008,000 agricultural structure in Waterville; a $1,003,520 agricultural structure in Waterville; a $370,880 agricultural addition in Pereau; a $238,000 agricultural addition in Lakeville; a $180,000 agricultural structure in Steam Mill; a $150,000 agricultural renovation in Lakeville; a $31,000 agricultural structure in Somerset; and a $10,000 commercial renovation in New Minas.

Permit values for June are the highest for the month so far this decade, the lowest being just under $5 million in June, 2003. In fiscal year-to-date totals, this year is second in the decade, after last year. Again, 2003 had the lowest tally with about $15 million.

In Kentville in June, the Planning and Development department issued permits representing a value of $187,060 last month for a fiscal year-to-date of $1,655,910, compared to $558,220 and $4,928,654 for the same periods last year.

In Berwick, the town issued permits in June representing $38,000 in value, for a fiscal year-to-date tally of $215,540.

The major project for which the town issued a permit last month was for a $30,000 commercial renovation.