Here's some of the process I went through with emailing my county and a secret as to how I was actually able to get the last building inspection done last year..I had to write and FOIA letter to the director to get all the work done by Watauga county building inspectors released to the public last year. Meanwhile through emails from the county I was accused of being a racist..Ive been accused of possibly harassing the construction company and government officials and Ive been told to get along with my neighbors and I just wanna see if its safe and if the building is up to code because the new building looks precariously parked on slope that appears to have all the ingredients outlined in this video
VIDEO LINK:
Landslide area on map they are building and grading on next to me:
LINK:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZS0pMhNGAugazY6MMt7icg-7ZdkF4ADy/view?usp=sharing(This is why I am trying to get the good sheriff to make a current request to county for building/grading inspector of the latest building they constructed there and moved with crane onto slope)
After the first year of grievance letters and getting accused of stuff I got a reply from my FOIA request last year....
07/14/2024
J*son W*lker
Director.
Bachelor of Science - BS Criminal Justice/Police Science,
Watauga County Planning and Inspections Department
1*6 Poplar Grove Connector Suite 201
Boone,NC 286*7
Dear Mr W*lker:
Under the North Carolina Public Records Law, G.S. §132-1., I am
requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of public
records that involve continual heavy construction activity
from Galan Construction at 697 Jordan V Cook Road, as they continually
Grade and do heavy construction with heavy construction vehicles for
approximately the last two years Directly Above New River Headwaters
as well as Directly Above adjoining Properties IN and around
Designated LandslideHazard Area.
If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please
inform me if the cost will exceed $__1.dollar____. However, I would
also like to request a waiver of all fees in that the disclosure of
the requested information is in the public interest and will
contribute significantly to the public’s understanding of _Richard
Easley adjoining neighbor and concerned citizen This information is
not being sought for commercial purposes.
The law requires that you respond to and fulfill this request "as
promptly as possible." If you expect a significant delay in
responding to and fulfilling this request, please contact me with
information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect
the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific
exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information
and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
Thank you for considering my request.
Sincerely,
The Masked Man
J*son.Walker <J*son.W*lker@watgov.org> REPLIES:
Thu, Jul 25, 2024, 11:26 AM
Mr. Masked Man,
Based upon your records request I have attached a recent letter that was mailed to the owners of said property. This is currently all matters relating to your request that are public record on 697 Jordan V Cook Rd.
Attached is letter/Permit for building denied
LINK:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W4z5rz-TRloMF3dHWaTM8kIS07eaiqv7/view?usp=sharing...Now Masked Man thinks what do I do now!? Its been a year people are still in designated landslide area building landslide hazard area grading every day with excavator ...not only that there was hurricane Helene that nearly flooded me out... hopefully the sheriff will make this next request for building/grading permit on my behalf as I am quite uncomfortable asking my county to release this information although I will I have to for it is our right to ask county for
I hope what I am going helps others who are trying to deal with people building irresponsibly and those dealing with the possible and prospective manmade 'side' of catastrophes such as landslides, floods, due to irresponsible grading & building etc.
The Masked Man
P.S. Also for the layperson Here's some advice I got from an official on the matters regarding to permits...
"That is not a CRIMINAL matter. It is a CIVIL issue via state building and utility codes and/or local ordinances (city or county).
As I understand from my city and county management days,
if there is a structure being built, it must conform with the respective Planning and Building Inspection Departments of the town(s) (e.g. Boone, Blowing Rock, Beech Mountain, or Seven Devils, or the county of Watsuga (outside of the aforementioned municipalities)).
The biggest carrot for a building code violation is that no building permit may result in no electricity, water, sewer, etc.
If you know that structures are being built, then it’s okay to report it to the noted Municipality, or the County.
Also, many insurance companies will not insure a structure that has not been approved.
There may also be some issues with the fire department without a valid building permit.
The structure location and use may also in violation of the zoning regulations and zoning ordinances.
That’s it in a nutshell."
ALSO: Masked Man would like to NOTE: I am just a layperson on the matter I have only disclosed what is considered to be of public record according to county official and at the same time my opinions are my own and I invite others more educated in the matter to please share and help educate me and the general public in these matters.
.
