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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10022008 BSC Minutes { Building & Standards Commission Located in the Bill Watson Conference Room, 3800 University Blvd, West University Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes October 2, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller, Muddy McDaniel, Frank Griffin and David Flame MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Peter Benjamin, Brian Hoogendam, and Gerry Spedale STAFF PRESENT: Building Official John R. Brown, City Planner Debbie Scarcella, Permit Technician Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician Kathi Sutton, James L. Dougherty, Urban Forester Craig Koehl GUESTS PRESENT: Les Albins [Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed BSC members, visitors and staff members to the • meeting. There were introductions of BSC members, staff and visitors. Bryant Slimp stated Dave Miller, Muddy McDaniel, and Frank Griffin would be the alternate voting members for the meeting. 2. Meeting Minutes. J. Denis Powers made a motion to approve the September 4, 2008 minutes. Frank Griffin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller, Muddy McDaniel and Frank Griffin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting minutes passed. 3. Agenda Item #3 Excavations and Underground Structures. Bryant Slimp stated that he, Debbie Scarcella and Steve Brown met and discussed the Joint Preliminary Report that is intended to be sent to Council. Debbie Scarcella mentioned that it has already been forwarded to Michael Ross. The contents of the Joint Preliminary Report were briefly discussed. Debbie Scarcella provided clarification to the Commission that the Report is not a recommendation, but is intended to be a reference guide of items to be considered by Council regarding Excavations and Underground Structures. 4. Agenda Item #4 Urban Forest. Bryant Slimp directed attention to a letter provided by Frank Griffin. Frank Griffin summarized the letter and stated that it was an alternate approach to increasing the city's canopy. The Commission discussed the aspects of Frank Griffin's letter. 5. Basements and Underground Structures. Bryant Slimp asked for Steve Brown from the Zoning Commission to come forward for discussion. Steve Brown stated that he wanted to take a • moment to introduce Agenda Item #5 regarding subterranean structures. He stated that Debbie Scarcella brought to the Zoning Commission's attention that plans have been submitted to the Development Services Department with underground structures. Steve Cavanaugh wanted to Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes Dctober 02, 2008 compose a joint summary to present to Council about this issue from both Boards and get direction from Council on the direction in which they would like the Boards to proceed. J. Denis Powers brought up that issue of elevators, bomb shelters and wine cellars are also up for discussion. Steve Brown stated that it is all still open for discussion and that he wanted to get a feel for how the BSC would like to proceed. Steve Brown stated that the ZPC have discussed the issue at three meetings and that he feels like they are equally divided as to whether to prohibit underground structures, or whether to allow underground structures and regulate them. James Dougherty provided direction to the Commission and opened discussion for the various options to be considered; prohibit, allow but regulate, and all without regulation. Dave Miller discussed alternative options available to residents whom would like to have elevators, or safe rooms. Bryant Slimp raised the question of whether or not the subterranean structure is habitable, or not and restricting the use of the space. Debbie Scarcella stated that if they chose to allow but regulate, then we could propose to limit the use to storage, elevators, wine cellars, and not allow habitable space. Bryant called for a straw vote with three choices; complete ban, allow with restrictions, or allow broadly. Dave Miller's straw vote was completely ban. Bryant Slimp stated he would currently choose to completely ban. A show of hands was taken for allow with restrictions with 3 members, and 3 members choosing to ban, and Brian Hoogendam stated that he would allow them to use the entire footprint of the house unrestricted. Frank Griffin asked whether the concern was the setback area, or the basement filling with water. Dave Miller reminded the Commission that an 8' basement on a house with a 5' setback would encroach on the neighbor's house if there were a failure due to the angle of repose. Dave Miller also stated that we might have people who want to have a garage in the basement. Bryant Slimp stated that no matter where you live within the city that your basement would be below the floodplain and • that homeowners would have to contend with water and mold issues. Brian Hoogendam stated that it is the property owner's choice to do what they want on their property. Dave Miller stated that it should be their (the Commission's) duty to protect residents who don't have experience in building issues. Frank Griffin agreed that they should protect someone from buying a faulty house. Steve Brown stated that the BSC discussion is very similar to the ZPC discussion and that he encourages us to keep the matter under consideration a work towards something that could be brought to Council for their consideration. Bryant Slimp asks for a motion to authorize him to work with Steve Brown on a preliminary report to address to Council on how they would like to proceed with the matter. J. Denis Powers made motion. Frank Griffin seconded. Steve Brown would like to make sure that city staff is included, Bryant agreed. AYES: J. Denis Powers, Muddy McDaniel, Bryant Slimp, Dave Miller, Brian Hoogendam, Gerry Spedale, and Frank Griffin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: Dr. Peter Benjamin. Dave Miller wants the Commission to get a copy of the letter before it is given to Council. James Dougherty stated that the letter will only contain ideas and will not be geared towards persuasion in either direction of ban or to allow but regulate. Steve Brown agreed and added that they would ask the Council for a workshop session to bring the issue into their consciousness, and then ask theirs which way they want to go. Bryant Slimp stated that Debbie Scarcella would email a draft out to everybody. Dave Miller asked if they had comments should they be forwarded to Debbie Scarcella? James Dougherty stated to be careful with back and forth comment, that the Chairman should decide the content of the letter. Steve Brown suggested that any comments should be forwarded now, and not after the letter to make sure that the person's opinions and concerns are covered. Page 2 of 3 Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes October 02, 2008 forwarded now, and not after the letter to make sure that the person's opinions and concerns are covered. Motion to table the Urban Forestry amendment made by Dave Miller. J. Denis Powers seconded. AYES: Dave Miller, Bryant Slimp, Muddy McDaniel, J. Denis Powers, Brian Hoogendam, Gerry Spedale, Dr. Peter Benjamin, and Frank Griffin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion Passed. [Adjournment] Dr. Peter Benjamin made a motion to adjourn. Gerry Spedale seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller, Frank Griffin, Muddy McDaniel, Gerry Spedale, Dr. Peter Benjamin and Brian Hoogendam. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. PASSED THIS DAY OF 2008 Bryant Slimp, Chai a ATTEST: Ms. Kathi M. Sutt , Permit echnician Page 3 of 3