Lansford's building code inspector on Wednesday told council a "communication problem" involving the zoning officer was partly to blame for a resident's complaints about the cost of doing business in the borough.

After listening and asking questions, council agreed to have the inspector and his company communicate directly with council.Rick Harmon, a state Uniform Construction Code inspector and plans examiner with Barry Isett and Associates, said he was baffled by complaints made by Kristie Zimmerman at a public council meeting on March 14.Then, Zimmerman told council she had been told by the zoning office that she was required to use the services of Harmon, whom she described as the borough engineer, and Isett to execute plans for turning a small house at 1 W. Kline Ave. and Tunnel Street into a hair salon.She said that although she planned no major renovations, she was told she'd need $3,000-$5,000 worth of architectural services and had already paid Harmon $500. Further, she said, she was told she'd have to have a hearing in Harrisburg, but did not know why. The Zimmermans did not attend the meeting Wednesday.Council advised Zimmerman she did not have to use any particular architect or other professional.On Wednesday, Harmon told council he spoke with Zimmerman and her husband about two weeks ago and explained the process to them, offering suggestions and advice. the couple needed a variance to establish a business in a residential district. Also, they had planned to relocate an entrance, and if they did that, they would need to make it handicapped accessible by building a ramp that would probably cost about $10,000."If you change a building from residential to commercial, you have to meet all the new requirements," he said. "It's like putting a new building up."If the Zimmermans wanted to appeal that requirement, they would need to submit the appeal to the state Department of Labor and Industry's Accessibility Advisory Board in Harrisburg. Harmon said he made it clear they did not have to attend any hears, that the agency routinely decides matters based on submitted information only.He also told them they did not have to use the borough's architect, and offered the names of three architects after they asked for suggestions. The Zimmermans chose one of the three, he said.The problem, Harmon said, appears to stem from the zoning office."Miscommunications from the zoning department seems to happen a lot here," he said. "This is the only area (in which the company works) that we don't have any kind of communication with the council or the borough secretary. our only communication is with the borough zoning officer."This has happened several times with a couple of other projects," he said.Councilwoman Mary Kruczek said that she's met Harmon only once since she became a councilwoman in 2008."We were told by your zoning officer that everything goes through her," Harmon said.Efforts to reach Zoning officer Katheryn Labosky, who did not attend the meeting Wednesday, were unsuccessful early Thursday.Councilman Tommy Vadyak was incensed by the amount of money and permissions and procedures the Zimmermans were having to go through in order to establish the business."This is ludicrous," he said. "If I was in her shoes, I would take another look at opening up a business because of the costs involved, before she even opens her doors."He was further angered when harmon confirmed that under the state UCC rules, it would cost a resident $75 to have an above-ground swimming pool inspected approved."They sit in Harrisburg, they write stuff and they really don't know what the (expletive) they're doing," Vadyak said."Personally, I think it's just a money-making scheme. It takes money away from the taxpayers," he said. "To me, it's a scam."