Home inspectors keep pressure on Drayman

Former Councilman John Drayman’s permit debacle regarding his 2010 condominium renovations continues after city inspectors last week told him he has to tear larger holes in his walls and might need to submit a third permit.

It was the latest in a series of corrections to his original construction documentation as the city works to bring his condo into compliance.

“He’s getting up there in fees, and he’s not done yet,” said City Building Inspector Stuart Tom.

Drayman’s house was remodeled last year without proper permits, causing the city to demand inspections of his home. All structural improvements need city permits, and inspectors typically check on the work as it’s being done.

In January, Drayman filed for a permit months after the work was completed by seven subcontractors for Advanced Development & Investment Inc., an affordable housing firm under federal investigation for allegedly overcharging several cities, including Glendale.

But that permit underreported the condo work, prompting the city to demand an inspection and then a supplementary permit, bringing Drayman’s permit fees to $2,271.96. He would have had to pay half that if he had filed permits at the right time, officials said.

Drayman, who railed against illegal home construction during his time on the council, said he should have been more diligent when work was being done on his home, but blamed his contractor, National Fire Systems & Services, for not filing the first permit.

Drayman and National Fire Systems & Services are disputing a lien the contractor filed on his condo.

“Ultimately, I’m responsible. I get that,” Drayman said.

After spending more than an hour at his Montrose home on Aug. 30 during a second inspection, city officials determined Drayman would have to file for another permit because other items were still missing.

The city had asked Drayman to make holes in his wall to check interior changes, but when the inspectors showed up last week, the openings weren’t big enough, Tom said.

Drayman said he had to make three holes — a 6-by-6-inch opening in an exposed wall and one in two closets at 8 by 8 inches and 12 by 12 inches. The closet holes need to be made larger for inspectors to complete their work, he said.

Tom said inspectors will continue to return for inspections at Drayman’s home until all of the work is documented in permits.

“Ultimately, what it’s going to come down to is inspectors will continue to require permits until, in aggregate, the permits Mr. Drayman gets covers the full scope of work,” Tom said.