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for occupancy was the way the building looked. He interoperated the city web site to say he <br />could add receptacles without permits. Mrs. Sergi asked why the electrical additions were not <br />shown on the plan and Mr. Thorne said it was not required to be shown on the plan. When he <br />was at the building department to pull an occupancy permit he asked what was needed and was <br />told he could draw the plan himself and that is what he did. Ms. Rudolph aslced if the horizontal <br />line in Mr. Thorne's drawing was the existing wall and door which was removed and Mr. Thorne <br />said it was a counter which was not structural. <br />Mr. Gareau said the board should not give consideration to the argument or pretext pertaining to <br />administrative comments which may or may not have been said. The board should treat all <br />comments made by the Appellant and Apelles based upon the preponderance of the substantial <br />reliable probative evidence presented on record. Any discussions pertaining to gambling or <br />gaming is not an issue before the board nor should it be addressed by the board in any manor. <br />The bottom line is did the use and interior layout change after the occupancy permit was issued. <br />Ms. Rudolph said the adjudication order dated April 15, 2010 pertaining to section 1119.01(a) <br />the evidence presented for the interior worlc done i.e. items removed and installed supports the <br />Commissioners ruling. Mr. Gareau said section 1119.01(b) addressing property taxes; the <br />applicant submitted evidence confirming an agreement with the County for the taxes to be paid is <br />in place therefore the Building Official withdraws his violation order of section 1119.01(b). Ms. <br />Rudolph said section 1119.01(a) certificate of occupancy she sees both sides although the <br />commissioner has clearly pointed out that the use is now more of a social nature with the pop <br />machines, appliances and snaclc area which warrants a closer loolc. The Surf Shop stated there <br />would be 15 occupants in the facility and then 35 computer stations were installed which is an <br />obvious misrepresentation by the applicant. Mrs. Bellido said the owner who is a businessman <br />knows if you state there will be 15 occupants in the facility you can't just double the occupancy <br />without checking with the city. The business shouldn't have opened until the occupancy permit <br />was received and posted which she believes to be required by law. <br />Mr. Lopez said saying you did not receive the occupancy permit is not an acceptable excuse the <br />owner lcnew there was going to be more than 15 occupants and should have stated so to begin <br />with and using excuses is not acceptable. Section 1119.01(a) considerable amount of interior <br />work was performed no permits were applied for, issued or questioned which again is the <br />applicant's responsibility. The excuse of misinterpretation of the online codes is unacceptable. <br />Any responsible adult lcnows any commercial worlc being performed requires permits. Mrs. <br />Diver said Mr. Thorne stated he is a restaurant owner so he is clearly aware of being required to <br />apply for multiple types of permits and having inspections. Furthermore he led the building <br />department to believe that there would be a maximum of 15 occupants then pleads ignorance of <br />the law which as a businessman he knows ignorance of the law does not excuse you from it. Mr. <br />Thorne stated himself that he hired many exports to research the establishment including an <br />attorney, an architect, and other professionals but didn't think to ask if permits were required for <br />the interior changes being made. The use which was applied for has changed to say there will be <br />15 occupants then install 35 stations not counting employees was blatant. If Mr. Thorne was not <br />aware of what he needed to know to open his establishment he should have conferred with his <br />paid staff to find out what was required. Mrs. Sergi said this appears to be asking for forgiveness <br />rather than permission. The building department was misled as to the nature of what the space <br />9