07-27-11 Regular Meeting of the Building Codes Appeals Board

Browse Search

Building Codes Appeals Board Minutes of July 27, 2011 Members Present: Tom Campbell, Ron Holt, Ken Schlather, Paul Larson, Mark Follis, J. P. Jackson and Terry Bunch Members Absent: None City Staff Present: Traci Leach, Assistant City Manager, Debbie S. Wilmore, Chief Building Official, Mark Huber, Deputy Building Official and Dwayne Menager, Chief Inspector Others Present: Linda and Fred Westergren, Bryan Moore, Troy Smith, Phillip Hoot, Carla Haramboure, John Mata and Alfred Ortega 1. CALL TO ORDER Meeting called to order at 6:05 P.M. by Chairman Tom Campbell. 2. CONSIDER APPROVING MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 22, 2011 MEETING Motion to approve the March 22, 2011 minutes, as written was made by Ken Schlather. Second by Terry Bunch. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Campbell asked the Board to move Item #7 before Item #3. No objection by Board. 7. RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC Linda Westergren identified she had been building in La Porte for thirty years and never had any problems with the codes. However, she feels the Uniform Plumbing Code minimum required fixtures are excessive and the table is confusing. She asked the Board to recommend that Council return to the International Plumbing Code. John Mata identified he is the Southwest Regional Manager for IAMPO and stated the Uniform Code is a good code that works. The code group is prepared to provide both verbal and written interpretations whenever needed. In fact, a code interpretation was provided for the two projects on the agenda. Since codes are a minimum, Mr. Mata told the Board most cities amend the codes to work with their city. Carla Haramboure identified she is with Clay Commercial Design- Builders and they develop large warehouse /office buildings in La Porte and the surrounding areas. Since the uses in the tables are different, the minimum fixture counts are very different between the two codes. She asked the Board to recommend utilizing Chapter 29 (Plumbing Systems) in the International Building Code in lieu of the Uniform Code table.