PAWS Built Without Permits, Failed Inspections

Concho Valley PAWS announced the addition of dog kennels to their existing buildings next to the City Animal Shelter.  They referred to the project as "Dog Dorm."  The City refers to the project as Phase three.  It will cost $1 million.

San Angelo Live reported on PAWS groundbreaking in August 2018: 

The construction of the facility will have two phases. Phase one will be the delivery and set up of modular buildings that will be used for office space, spay and neuter clinic and cat habitats. This modular structure was purchased for Concho Valley PAWS by philanthropists Judith and David Hirschfeld who are long time supporters of the PAWS mission.

Phase two will include the construction of a large kennel facility with fenced play yards that will serve as an adoption showcase center for adoptable dogs.

PAWS couldn't fulfill all of phase two as envisioned in 2018.  It had difficulty with that portion of the project. 

City of San Angelo Planning staff sent the following e-mail on June 24, 2020:

3142 US Hwy 67 - Concho Valley Paws Adoption Center. This project stared in 2018 with a modular building being added to the large lot. This triggered several items, parking, hydrant, drainage; the typical new construction site requirements. Earlier this month they called for Finals; during inspections it was discovered they are adding on to the modular building; kennels and covered walkway plus and addition building in the back.

The agreement with the Contractor was to submit for a second Building Permit and Site Plan for the additions. Engineering would postpone their requirement of the completed drainage/detention. All other Site items are approved and completed; only Building Finals and Fire Prevention Finals are needed for the modular Building if the detention is postponed to the second phase.

Concho Valley Paws wants to use the front portion of the building now; however they can't get a CO with the new items started without a permit or an approved Site Plan.  Concho Valley Paws has publicly scheduled an open house for June 26th, Friday. 

It is unlikely the contractor will be able to have an asbestos survey completed, submitted and approved before Friday; thus not allowing occupancy to the Modular building for the Concho Valley Paws Open House.

I think the City will be blamed. I want to let you know so this can go up to 4th floor if you see fit. Also Should anyone be prepared to do enforcement on Friday; or do we wait for a complaint or self discovery?

The City's Development Director send the following message to Assistant City Manager Rick Weise on June 10, 2020.

FYI. Wanted you to be aware of this. Concho Valley Paws is performing construction beyond what they showed on their approved building permits.  We are working with them to get “phase 2”permits for those additions and can issue a Certificate of Occupancy for “phase 1” once they have submitted the plans for phase 2 and had all final inspections for phase 1.  However, depending on how quickly they do their part and how their inspections go, this could delay their planned Grand Opening.

Here's how the city characterized the PAWS project last month:

It's not clear if anyone did enforcement during PAWS June 27, 2020 Open House for their new adoption center.  The building did not open to the public until early September.

The building opened during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Now that the disease burden has decreased PAWS hours are fewer, falling from 24 hours per four day week to 19 hours.   I imagine the Hirschfelds want their generous donations to be utilized as much as possible.

Before the project even started Shelter Director Morgan Chegwidden wrote City Attorney Theresa James on April 4, 2018.

Monday, you’d mentioned we needed to order a survey for the PAWS adoption center project. Can we go ahead and get that ordered? What would you estimate the cost to be? I believe I can fund it in my budget but wanted to make sure.

PAWS got free use of the land, the Animal Shelter's veterinary surgical equipment and $1,400 survey.  It appears city staff looked the other way when PAWS held its open house in June 2020. It's a partnership, I'm not sure how functional.

Update 5-29-21:  Former City Engineer Lance Overstreet told the Assistant Planning Director last summer:

Lance has said no, they applicant must get an approved Site Plan and Permit for Phase two.  

I think he is afraid they will continue to do work without a permit and the additional drainage hasn't been accounted for.  6-24-2020 e-mail

Update 4-29-22:  Concho Valley PAWS will hold a grand opening of the Judith and David Hirschfeld Adoption Center at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 30th.