Hi Ron, Thank you for your fast response and update. I’m glad to hear your team is moving towards online submittals! We’ll keep using 11x17 prints for the time being. Best regards, Matt Londre Sr. Project Manager Willow Glen Electric, Inc. (408) 705-3663 - cell (408) 289-9725 ext. 1 - office > On Sep 24, 2017, at 8:12 AM, Lafrance, Ron J > > Matt, > > > We are in the process of converting both to an on-line submittal and issuance of simple permits and our handout for EVSE installations should be available by the end of the month. In the men time, 11X17 plans are acceptable. I'm very sorry for the inconvenience. > > > Sincerely, > > > Ron? > > > ________________________________ > From: Matt | Willow Glen Electric > Sent: Friday, September 22, 2017 5:50 PM > To: Lafrance, Ron J > Cc: Heineck, Arlinda A; Mark Londre; McIntyre, Alex D; Peggy Londre; Taylor, Charles W; Keith, Kirsten; _CCIN > Subject: New 2'x3' Print Requirement for Simple Plan Checks? > > Hi Ron & Team, > > We were in your building department earlier today and were notified that you are now requiring 24"x36" prints for even our simple residential EVSE installations. This is ridiculous, prohibitively expensive, and entirely impractical! Menlo Park was already one of only two out of the 50+ jurisdictions we work in requiring 11"x17" prints. The remainder of building departments only require 8.5"x11" prints. Some jurisdictions don't require any prints at all! > > We purchased a costly 11"x17" printer specifically for your department two years ago. Are you now requiring us to purchase a $3,000 blueprint printer http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-designjet-t730-36-in-printer?jumpid=cs_con_pr_ij&prodsku=F9A29A#B1K&utm_medium=cs&utm_source=ga&utm_campaign=IPG%20Printers&utm_content=sp&adid=221342244202&addisttype=gpla&CAWELAID=120281700000001034&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=520581755 72&CATCI=pla-358498231329&CATARGETID=120281700000462456&cadevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp6WbxoS61gIVD3Z-Ch2STwplEAQYASABEgKt0_D_BwE>? I understand why larger construction projects require large prints, but the largest job we'll do is a simple 200 or 400 Amp upgrade w/ 100 Amp EV charger, which can be handled with a perfectly legible 8.5x11 print in almost every other jurisdiction. > > Cupertino requires us to include a PDF copy on a flash drive for their records; I'd recommend you do the same for small projects like ours rather than impose this absurd hardship on contractors like us. > > Here is a summary of this complaint, along with previous issues we've had recently: > > 1. $342+ permit cost is among the most expensive in the entire Bay Area for EVSE installations. > 2. We are required to drop off plans in person just to be able to schedule a followup appointment. > 3. Followup appointments have taken up to 90 minutes, as the plan checkers don't review the plans prior to the followup meeting, even though we dropped them off ahead of time. > 4. Large format printing is expensive and wasteful! Specialty 11.5x17 size printers are expensive, and 24"x36" printers are exponentially more costly, considering the specialty printers, paper, ink, and the space to house them. > > Taken all together, this makes your department into the least business-friendly jurisdiction we deal with. Less-concientious contractors will choose to skip the permitting process all-together with requirements like these! Contractors have to pass these additional costs on to their customers, which will push customers to use contractors not requiring permits. We have seen this occur many times in the past. This helps neither you nor Menlo Park residents with safety. > > Please reconsider your department's processes and requirements for smaller projects. > > Please advise, > > Matt Londre > Sr. Project Manager > Willow Glen Electric, Inc. > (408) 705-3663 - cell > (408) 289-9725 ext. 1 - office > Received on Mon Sep 25 2017 - 10:23:59 PDT
