City housing permits soar

GAINESVILLE - The number of building permits issued for new, single-family homes in Gainesville mushroomed to 41 during the first seven months.

City planner Rusty Ligon said the growth was fueled by new construction in several major residential developments. That number compares to no new home permits last year in the city and 18 in 2009.

Meanwhile, during January through July in Hall County, 25 fewer permits were OK'd for new, single-family homes.

The number of overall permits in the county - residential, commercial, and otherwise - decreased by 160.