Cass building outlook may be improving

WALKER - Though the number of Cass County zoning permits issued in 2009 reflects a decline in new construction from 2008, it is not as sharp as the 2008 decline from 2007.

There also were indicators during 2009 that a turnaround may be starting.

The county issued 1,315 land use permits for new buildings and sewer and water systems in 2007. The number dropped to 997 in 2008 and to 865 in 2009.

However, the quarter totals in 2009 showed a 38.92 percent drop from the prior year the first quarter, an 18.54 percent drop the second quarter, an 8.48 percent drop the third quarter but a slight 1.76 percent increase in the fourth quarter.

The number of variances issued, often reflecting remodeling projects, had a 51.13 percent drop from the prior year during the first quarter of 2009, but only a 3.9 percent drop the second quarter and showed a 29.02 percent increase by the third quarter, with only a 4.94 percent decline in the fourth quarter.

The number of conditional use permits issued were up significantly, 93.75 percent in 2009 over 2008.

There still appears to be little appetite by investors who might be looking at new developments. The county reclassified land use on 28 properties in 2007 and another seven in 2008, but received no applications to reclassify land uses in 2009.

Similarly, there were 18 minor subdivisions processed in 2007, 11 in 2008 and only four in 2009. The county processed nine new plats in 2007 and only two in 2008 and one in 2009.