After weeks of delays, the Mariposa County Board of Supervisors finally moved forward with changes to the County’s building code. The changes didn’t come without requests for even more time, though.

Building Director Fred Lustenberger, who last week resigned, had proposed the item twice before, and twice it was pulled from the board’s agenda. On Tuesday, he described the changes as “more of a housekeeping” kind of ordinance than one that introduced sweeping change. “Substantively, it’s not going to have much of an effect,” he said.

Lustenberger explained that the County needed to get its code in line with state codes, which were most recently adopted in 2008. When the state adopted its new code, it “created several inconsistencies” between California and the County. Not making the changes, Lustenberger said, would make enforcement of both codes “extremely difficult.”

Still, a number of people said the code issue needed more study. Dick Hutchinson, who has been very vocal on the issue but isn’t a contractor, took the podium yet again, with another set of recommendations on how the board should handle the situation. He said he was suggesting only “minor changes” about the terminology of mobile and manufactured homes, where to put the permit fees and how much those fees were.

Bill Verley, president of the Mariposa County Contractors’ Association, said the issue creates more questions. He asked for 30 more days to “investigate” the proposal. Engineer Floyd Davis said the County should look at adopting its own codes, separate from the state’s.

Lustenberger said all jurisdictions are mandated to adopt the codes as required the Building Standards Commission. “We’re not reinventing the wheel here,” he said. “We’re just removing some of the dead wood that could possibly create a conflict.” He explained that the County already must abide by the new codes.

Supervisor Kevin Cann said putting the issue off was not acceptable. “This thing’s been noticed for at least a month,” he said in response to requests for more time. Supervisor Janet Bibby noted that Maripsoa County is “lagging” in getting it adopted in comparison to other counties.

Cann said another delay was concerning. “I’m sensitive to concerns, but it’s code that needs to be cleaned up,” he said. “I haven’t seen any compelling information for us to not take this action.” With that, Cann moved the item.

The board unanimously approved the ordinance, which will be back for a second reading in about 30 days.