Cape Girardeau inspections head talks of changes within departm

Cape Girardeau inspections director Robb McClary spoke at the Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee and discussed the changes that have taken place in his department in the three months since he was hired.

The department has been working on creating a better public perception and being more empathetic with developers and builders, McClary said.

Among the changes McClary has made is a new commercial site plan review team. Instead of plans being reviewed by different departments at different times, a team with representatives from the inspections, planning, engineering and fire departments meet weekly and review plans at once.

McClary also talked about the importance of communication. He noted that his department sent out hundreds of notices to licensed builders and contractors to make them aware of a Dec. 16 public hearing on code changes in the city.