Cochran builders call on the city to sever ties with Falcon Design inspector

Cochran builders are calling on the city to sever ties with Falcon Design Inspector Anne Cleveland, citing concerns with her communication and stringent inspection standards.

In the past couple of months, builders have taken to council meetings to voice their concerns with the civil engineering contractor, saying her inspection style is costing them thousands of dollars.

At a city council meeting on Oct. 13, Cochran native and licensed contractor of 27 years Robert Smith, of RS Custom Homes LLC, told council members that he has “had enough.”

Over his career, Smith says he’s built 270 homes throughout Georgia including Warner Robins, Hawkinsville and his hometown of Cochran. Recently, he took up a job building a $1 million home in the city. 

“I have been trying to get a permit now for 147 days,” he told the council. “147 days we have been back and forth, back and forth with Falcon Design.”

The standard in other cities, he claims, is 1-3 days. 

“She [Cleveland] delays comments back to us. She won’t send an email,” he continued. “I can go to Hawkinsville, and in those areas, I can get a permit in one day. One. Day. It was 21 days before I heard anything back from Ms. Anne.”

When he does get his plans back, he says they’re marked up to “impossible” standards.

Another issue he identified is because of her reputation, contractors are pulling out of projects and he’s being up-charged by others.

According to Smith, one construction company even told him that he would charge him $2 extra per foot on framing because he wanted to avoid dealing with Falcon Design, making the total cost for framing 24%-29% more expensive.

But Smith isn’t the only one voicing his struggles with Cleveland. Fellow Cochran builder James Hutchinson spoke candidly on the matter at the Oct. 13 meeting.

“We’ve got six buildings [in downtown] that’s going to stay looking raggedy and shaggedy if ya’ll [the council] don’t take part in this, because nobody’s going to come and do no work.” He said. 

According to Hutchinson, like Smith, he’s also having problems with contractors backing out and overcharging him just to do business in Cochran.

“This guy quoted me… he’s going to charge me $2 a foot to frame in Cochran, Georgia, because the code inspector is so bad,” he continued. “And that is Anne of Falcon Design.”

Over the years, he claims he’s also lost two respected electricians in the Middle Georgia area, due to relations with Cleveland.

“Once the word gets around, you’re not going to be able to find anybody to come to Cochran, Georgia, to build anything,” he warned.

A major worry he has, he said, is that Cochran will inevitably lose people and businesses to the nearby Hawkinsville.

“I don’t know what ya’ll need to do about it but something needs to be done about Falcon Design,” he continued. “Get out of bed with them because it’s not a good relationship. Your people are getting ticked off about it.”

When he finished speaking, the audience erupted in applause.

Following October’s city council meeting, the TJP reached out to Brett Hanes, Director of Development Services at Falcon Design and Cochran City Manager Angela Redding to discuss a rumor that Cleveland would be removed from working in Cochran.

Hanes responded, saying he had a conversation about “transition[ing] a new person,” but didn’t clarify whether that meant from a specific project or Cochran entirely. 

He also told the TJP that there were individuals stating things that were “not factually accurate” and warned that the company would be “seeking damages if they continue.” He didn’t specify further.

City Manager Angela Redding responded, saying that while she wasn’t about to speak on the subject, it would be up for discussion at the Nov. 5 work session. 

Hanes is also expected to be in attendance.

The work session will begin at 6 p.m. following a rezoning hearing in the city auditorium.