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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06052008 BSC Minutes a S • Comm) City of West University Place A Neighborhood City ® Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission Located in the Bill Watson Conference Room, 3800 University Blvd, West University Plac;, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes June 5, 2008 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Dave Miller, Muddy McDaniel, Frank Griffin and Gerry Spedale MEMBERS ABSENT: Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin and J. Denis Powers STAFF PRESENT: City Planner/Interim Building Official Debbie Scarcella, Permit Technician Josie Orosco, James L. Dougherty and Urban Forester Craig Koehl GUESTS PRESENT: Joe Foster [Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed BSC members, visitors and staff members to the • meeting. Bryant Slimp stated all BSC members present would be voting members except for Gerry Spedale. There were introductions of BS~ members, staff and visitors. Bryant Slimp asked for an update regarding the Building Official's position. Debbie Scarcella stated there have not been any changes. Bryant Slimp stated the next $SC meeting would be Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 due to the July 4th holiday schedule. Debbie Scarcella asked that everyone be thinking about basement implications on very, small lots. The smaller lots have possible ramifications on adjoining properties. Debbie Scarcella is going to bring additional information from FEMA regarding flooding issues at the next meeting. 2. Meetinj Minutes. Muddy McDaniel made a motion to approve the May 1, 2008 minutes as amended. Dave Miller seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Dave Miller, Muddy McDaniel and Frank Griffin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting minutes passed. 3. Request for presentation to consider an advisory interpretation or possible amendment to the technical code schedule to allow pex piping for water pipe. Robert Zvanut made a presentation to the BSC regarding PEXa piping which was introduced to the plumbing industry about 30 years ago. The piping is a cross-linked polyethylene pipe specifically made for the installation of water piping. It is highly durable, yet flexible and has enhanced temperature capability and long-term strength. When compared to metal piping, the PEXa pipe has low thermal conductivity, which reduces heat loss and condensation. The PEXa pipe is used in conjunction with solid brass connectors that do not need heat, flame or solvent to install. PEXa piping is less expensive, quicker and quieter to install than copper piping. Although water will • freeze when using PEXa piping, the piping will not burst. The PEXa piping is manufactured in Alabama and Minnesota. Mr. Zvanut is not sure where the brass fittings are manufactured. There was general discussion regarding the warranty of the pipe and fittings. If caught on fire, the pipe burns like a candle and does not give off any kind of toxic fumes. Gerry Spedale asked why the 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 9 7139668.4441 • www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes June S, 2008 Code of Ordinances prohibits the use of pex piping. James Dougherty stated it pre-dates his tenure, but the legend is that there was a big failure rate of the first generation of the piping and it was probably prohibited to be conservative with the codes. If a company decided to use the pex piping, they would also have to purchase the tools to install the pipe. Mr. Zvanut stated there are about 20-30 plumbing contractors that are currently using the pex piping. Mr. Foster stated he is very familiar with the pex piping system. 4. Urban Forest Code Amendments. Dave Miller stated since the last BSC meeting, Craig Koehl, James Dougherty and himself have met three times and they decided to go through straw votes to fill in the open proposed amendments. Joe Foster stated he is favor of having the tree ordinance changed due to all the trees being removed just on his block. There was general discussion regarding what concept should be used. BSC decided to use the canopy coverage area concept. BSC requested that Craig Koehl come back with recommended coverage area calculations to determine what area will be used to count as canopy coverage. The commission discussed the following issues and then took a straw vote on the concepts to include in the proposed ordinance amendments. • Protect trees - 4" plus Class I or Class H • Trees allowed to be removed - diseased, damaged, dead, hazardous, low value (Class IV), unreasonably impeding use or structure, any tree, if minimum canopy standard met and suppressed trees • Heritage trees - BSC approval required in/near street rear yard (higher justification • needed) • Trees that must be replaced - all, unless minimum canopy standards are met • Replacement calculations - canopy for canopy (sq ft) up to minimum canopy standard; exception: stem-for-stem to replace hazardous, diseased, damaged, dead, suppressed or impeding existing use or structure (up to minimum canopy standard) • Replacement location - 1St on the site or in adjacent street area, 2nd in street area within 1,000 feet; 3rd near street within 1,000 feet, 4t through tree trust (prefer City fund) • Replacement size, species - 4" (but 2" if replacing hazardous, diseased, damaged, dead or suppressed), Class I or II • Permit Types - One type only (tree permit) • Tree evaluations - abolished (Class I or II trees that have less than 25% canopy dieback count-toward minimum canopy standard) • Minimum planting standard - must meet minimum canopy standard. Alternative, with BSC approval: one per 1,500 sq. ft. of site area; size 6" Class I or H • Diversification of the Urban Forest - required diversification by genus • Planting trees in street areas - strongly emphasized and in some cases required • Removing trees in street areas - BSC approval required (4" + Class I or II, higher justification if needed) Bryant Slimp asked the modifications be made and emailed to each BSC member. Dave Miller asked that since all the proposed amendments have been discussed that everyone reconsider the denominator of what the canopy coverage area is. Page 2 of 2 Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes June S, 2008 [Adjournment] David Flame made a motion to adjourn. Muddy McDaniel seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Dave Miller, Muddy McDaniel and Frank Griffin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m. PASSED THIS - \VV6AY OF , 2008 "j, 9:~,- V Bryant Slimp, Chairm ATTEST: -,Mx-son - lckfyus~ Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician Page 3 of 3