The Building Beat - Develop 901

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 18 From Draft to Approval: Demystifying Plan Review Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

Deputy Building Official Mario Moton interviews Senior Plans Examiner John to discuss the goals, responsibilities, and expertise of Plan Review, a team that reviews building plans to ensure they are code compliant long before any building permits are issued. Mario and John talk about what the plan review process looks like and what it actually involves, including how applicants can make their review time even shorter!
Have questions for Mario or John? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 17 Demolitions Aug 04, 2025

Show notes

Senior Building Inspector Tony Grashot interviews Plans Examiner Erica Rogers about the requirements for demolition permits and the differences between residential and commercial demolition projects. Tony brings his background as a commercial contractor with an ATF license to the discussion.
Have questions for Erica or Tony? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.
Link to Fite Rd Demolition: https://youtube.com/shorts/0hMcRB_JT8o?feature=share

Ep. 16 Signs, Billboards, and Zoning Compliance Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Producer Breana Miller interviews Senior Signs & Zoning Inspector Antwone Smith about the signs, billboards, and zoning regulations that he and his team enforce and that they tend to educate and inform customers about while in the field. While handling anything from eight-second digital billboard advertisement frequencies to the prohibition of roosters in residential areas, Signs and Zoning Enforcement has seen and heard a lot of what's happening in the Memphis and Shelby County area.
Have questions for any Antwone? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 15 Inside the Division Spotlight Series: Land Use Planner Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

Producer Breana Miller interviews Land Use Planner Nicholas Wardroup about his position within the division, especially related to working with the public and elected officials; his experience in transitioning from a graduate intern to his current full-time role; and his journey in learning and communicating about the ordinances and codes that guide his work.
Have questions for any Nicholas? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 14 Plumbing Inspections May 05, 2025

Show notes

Producer Breana Miller interviews Chief Plumbing Inspector John Bowman about his work experience in the plumbing trade, the common types of inspections that Plumbing Inspectors handle, and what homeowners need to consider before deciding to begin any plumbing-related DIY projects.
Have questions for any John? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 13 On the Line: Insights from the Field Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

Producer Breana Miller calls Division staff members—some of whom are previous guests—to answer listener-submitted questions related to the Lead Hazard Control Program, the importance of verifying your contractor’s license credentials, the necessity of building permits, the zoning compliance requirements for in-home daycares, and an explanation of why we use the Develop901 Citizen Portal. The final question is answered with second-time, in-studio guest Deputy Director Nidia Logan-Robinson.
Have questions for any of the featured staff members? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode

Ep. 12 Memphis 3.0 and You Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Producer Breana Miller interviews Division Director John Zeanah about the Memphis 3.0 Plan, the comprehensive plan for the City of Memphis, and why having a comprehensive plan--and consistently updating it--is important when considering future development and growth in Memphis. John also details the significance of community input for the Memphis 3.0 Plan and what implementation of this comprehensive plan actually looks like for city residents.
Have questions for John? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 11 Inside the Division Spotlight Series: Finance Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

For the first episode in the Inside the Division Spotlight Series, Producer Breana Miller interviews Finance Manager Brenda Gipson about her experience working for Shelby County Government, her experience in handling finances for a joint city and county division, and how the Develop 901 Citizen Portal has become a key element of her daily duties. Brenda brings her accounting experience from private industry to her current position in government accounting and finance.
Have questions for Brenda? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

Ep. 10 The Ups and Downs of Elevator Inspections Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Producer Breana Miller interviews Senior Elevator Inspector Grant Pazderka and Elevator Inspector Josh Norman about elevator inspections that occur throughout Memphis and Shelby County in new construction and in already occupied buildings. Grant and Josh also share their experiences in working on elevators and their continued focus on elevator safety for both riders and technicians.
Have questions for Grant or Josh? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode

Ep. 9 Land Use & Zoning Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

Deputy Administrator Jeffrey Penzes interviews fellow Deputy Administrator Chip Saliba about his knowledge and experience in permitted land uses and local zoning provisions. Chip explains why zoning is a necessity for orderly development and how entreprenurs and developers can save themselves money and time by doing their duediligence concerning approved property uses.
Have questions for Chip or Jeffrey? Email them to buildingbeat@memphistn.gov, and you'll get an answer on a future episode.

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