Philipsburg: --- The building stop that was issued to Dedrick Cannigitter has now been lifted by the department of public works, assistant director of the department Claudius Buncamper confirmed that the building stop was lifted on Wednesday. Buncamper explained that a building permit was issued to Cannigitter some two and half years ago and it is one of those that are listed under the ‘red dot.” Buncamper said the department was not aware that there was no access road to the property when the permit was issued and when the owners of the road namely Rita and Russell Hughes approached the department they immediately issued a building stop based on the illegal use of a private road to get to the property.
Buncamper said shortly after that the department discussed the matter with New Works who adjusted the round about so that Cannigitter can have an entrance to his property. That he said was finalized on Tuesday by Windward Roads and the businessman now has access to his property via his own road.
Buncamper said there seems to be another issue developing with the warehouse since James family is now claiming that the building is too close to the bound. Buncamper said he did not handle that part and the only thing he dealt with was the access road. Buncamper said he is the head of New Works and Maintenance, and only acts as the assistant director when the director is absent.
The assistant director made clear that he did not issue the building permit for the warehouses that is now built in a residential area. He said the only reason he has to deal with this problem is that he is deputizing the department in the absence of the director of ROB who is presently on vacation. Asked if he visited the area to get a first hand look at the situation regarding the warehouse Buncamper said he did not personally visit the area but plans to do so on Thursday.
Buncamper said based on the drawings the containers were supposed to be in front of the property and trucks were to be used to transport the materials to the work site. However, when this reporter visited the location there was at least three containers to the back of the warehouse.
Earlier this week the James, Hughes, and Richardson family in an interview said that the owner the warehouse is not respecting the building codes of the island. So far, SMN News understands that these families have not filed an official complaint with the department. The residents said they could not understand how the department of ROB would issue a building permit for warehouses in that area since they are so many children living there.