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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-11 Regular Meeting of the Building Codes Appeals Board 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. Building Codes Appeals Board Minutes of July 27, 2011 Page 2 of 3 Bryan Moore identified himself as a local builder and stated that buildings built under the International Plumbing Code have not had problems. He asked that the Board recommend returning to the International Plumbing Code. Phillip Hoot addressed two items. He felt that since the city requires an engineer to approve new roofs, the City shouldn't require a permit fee for the roof permit. Also, the fact that a meeting was even necessary confirms the City should go back to the previous code. Alfred Ortega identified himself as a City of Houston Inspector and a director of IAMPO. He recommended the City amend the table to fit their needs. The City of Houston deleted Table 4 -1 from the Uniform Code and utilizes the plumbing chapter table in the International Building Code as part of their amendments. 3. REVIEW AND DISCUSS TWO REQUESTS FOR CHANGES TO THE CITY'S PLUMBING CODE AS IT PERTAINS TO MINIMUM PLUMBING CODE FIXTURE REQUIREMENTS Debbie Wilmore provided an overview explaining that the building code is used to establish the building use and occupancy load. That information is then applied to the plumbing table for determining the minimum number of plumbing fixtures. Staff provided the IAPMO Group with the project information and staff's calculations of required fixtures. A written code interpretation received today determined the buildings should be considered as retail use rather than storage/business office. Since that information was just received, copies for each member were placed at their seats. Discussion followed. 4. CONSIDER RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO SUPPORT ONE OF THE FOLLOWING COURSES OF ACTION: (1) CONTINUE TO UTILIZE THE 2009 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODETABLE 4 -1, MINIMUM PLUMBING FACILITIES, AS WRITTEN; (2) AMEND THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE TABLE 4 -1; (3) BEGIN UTILIZING CHAPTER 29 (PLUMBING SYSTEMS) OF THE 2009 INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE IN LIEU OF THE 2009 UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE TABLE 4 -1; OR (4) OTHER ACTION Motion by Mark Follis to utilize Chapter 29 of the 2009 International Building Code in lieu of the 2009 Uniform Plumbing Code Table 4 -1. Second by Mr. Bunch. Motion passed with one nay vote by Mr. Larson. In the interim time, the Board felt the proposed storage occupancy use was an "unlisted use" and directed staff to utilize the code allowance that enables the Authority Having Jurisdiction to determine required minimum plumbing fixtures for those unlisted uses. Building Codes Appeals Board Minutes of July 27, 2011 Page 3 of 3 5. REVIEW, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE 2011 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE WITH NO CHANGE TO EXISTING LOCAL AMENDMENTS Ms. Wilmore advised the Board that staffs recommendation was to adopt the new code edition with no change to existing local amendments. Following some discussion, Mr. Bunch made a motion to table this action to the next meeting to allow the Board more time to review the new code. Second by Paul Larsen. Motion passed unanimously. 6. REVIEW, DISCUSS AND CONSIDER AMENDING THE BOARD'S RULES OF PROCEDURE Ms. Wilmore noted that at the previous meeting, Mr. Follis had raised questions regarding the rules of procedure. He noted the rules did not address public comments, Rule 103 identified selecting a chairperson but no mention of any follow -up review of that selection, and Rule 701 was not clear and may present a conflict. Following some discussion, Clark Askins and Ms. Wilmore were asked to develop a draft of changes for the Board's review that included: (1) a public comment period with a five minute time limit and each August review the selection of the chairperson. 8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS Mark Huber advised the Board of upcoming Plumbing Continuing Education classes. 9. BOARD COMMENTS Mr. Campbell asked Mr. Hoot for my clarification of his comments regarding roofs. Mr. Hoot said he felt there shouldn't be a permit fee since the city policy requires an engineer to approve the roof. 10. ESTABLISH NEXT MEETING DATE, TIME AND TOPICS Staff will check available August dates and contact the Board. Agenda to include the National Electrical Code and the draft amendments to the rules of procedure. Mr. Follis recommends that at future meetings, staff bring a current calendar of meeting room availability so a tentative date can be set. 11. ADJOURN A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Schlather with a second by Mr. Bunch. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Resectfully submitted, "77a/ Mark Huber Deputy Building Official