As a licensed architect and general contractor, with both commercial and single-family residential experience, I’ve had the opportunity to work in many municipalities over the years. It is this experience and exposure that led to my surprise at Mr. Hsueh’s published letter in last week’s Mercer Island Reporter.
Lakeville Homes, a home builder and remodeler, started working on Mercer Island in 1985. We consistently adopt the approach that a home improvement project is a team effort. The closest circle for the homeowner includes the architect, designer and home builder. The next ring out includes the subcontractors, suppliers and municipality with oversight over the home. When all of these parts are working together, with the homeowner’s best interest in mind, it leads to a cost-effective, timely and high-quality end product, as well as a positive experience for the homeowner.
As president of Lakeville Homes, it is my personal experience that the development staff at the City of Mercer Island has always been a contributing and active member of the above described team. They are available to provide constructive clarification to questions during the design and permitting process, which allows the designer and builder to identify and troubleshoot issues at an early stage in order to avoid costly redesign. With someone from each department on call every day, I have been able to visit the relevant department on a whim, without an appointment, at not cost to me or my clients, and get firsthand information from the same professionals who will ultimately review and inspect the project. Access is not as easy to come by in many other jurisdictions, particularly the City of Seattle, which Mr. Hsueh specifically identified in his letter.
Additionally, I appreciate that the faces at Mercer Island City Hall are slow to change. A land use department staffed by people who have been at the city for years and truly understand the municipal code means consistent rulings and interpretations. Likewise, someone in the utilities department — who has been through the process many times before — knows exactly what she is talking about when guiding you through the process. In addition to having longevity, there is also consistency amongst the staff. They convey the message that most areas of the code are black and white, not open to interpretation or subject to varied response among the staff. Hence, the expensive process of redesign can be avoided with familiarity and compliance.
Our experience with the pre-application process is that we receive fine-tuning comments there, which allow the permit process to move as expediently as possible. While revisions are often required, they tend to be minor and allow for us not to waste time in review and re-submittal.My advice to Mr. Hsueh and any other homeowner who is looking to take on a home improvement project on Mercer Island (or anywhere else) is to be proactive with your local municipality. Ask questions and seek assistance. Utilize the staff and resources available at the city. And, finally, surround yourself with the team that will eliminate the frustration and cost that Mr. Hsueh appears to have experienced. Lakeville Homes is a contractor that is willing to work on Mercer Island. We’ve worked there successfully for 26 years. We would also be happy to champion your efforts with the City of Mercer Island, to ensure that your process is as streamlined and problem-free as possible. Feel free to contact me, Jamie Hsu, at Jamie@lakevillehomes.com.
Jamie C. Hsu
