Jim, that's part of the problem. The local fire marshal and building inspector, denied a building permit and license. While both were out of town, someone issued the business a license and building permit, neither of which have been revoked as of Friday. The businessman made a personal appeal to the mayor who has asked the city to make an variance to the adopted codes and from the requirements as stated by the local fire marshal and inspector because the city needs revenue. I was also told that another potential business was denied the opporunity of a variance and choose to open business elsewhere because of the adopted codes.

Sometime toward the middle of last week, our office got involved because of a complaint filed and I was sent to see what the problem was. I did an inspection on the building and told the tenant/business owner that based on my inspection, I could/would not approve occupancy based on numerous critical violations found, until that were corrected. I later found him at the office of the local fire marshal, telling him things that I had not said including that I told him that he did not have to sprinkle the building.

When contacted, one of the first questions I asked the businessman was if he has a copy of the plans from a licensed architect showing the change in occupancy and told yes. When I met with the business owner and asked to see the plans, he then changed his story.