DOB’s self-review system could get scrapped 

A new study by the city’s Independent Budget Office claims that the Department of Buildings would need to spend just $7.5 million a year if it scraps its controversial self-review system for permits, along with $1.5 million in initial costs. The report said the DOB would need to hire 50 plan examiners and 19 support staffers if it scrapped the program, which began in 1995. In the past fiscal year, the DOB audited 24 percent of the self-certified plans and revoked 21 percent for violations. Critics blame the self-review program for contributing to construction accidents and zoning violations.