Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06072007 BSC Minutes s f West University Place City o A Neighborhood City ® Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission Located in the Bill Watson Conference Room, 3800 University Blvd, West University Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes June 7, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller and Muddy McDaniel MEMBERS ABSENT: David Flame STAFF PRESENT: Chief Building Official Sean Landis, City Planner Debbie Scarcella, Permit Technician Josie Orosco, Plans Examiner Peter Solis and James L. Dougherty GUESTS PRESENT: Robert Riquelmy [Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:21 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed the visitors and staff members to the meeting. Building Official, Sean Landis gave a brief introduction of himself. Bryant Slimp stated that Michael Talianchich, Muddy McDaniel and Dave Miller, if present, would be the alternate voting members. James Dougherty stated that Michael Talianchich was no longer on the BSC since he was elected to City Council. There was discussion regarding the two letters that the City received in response to the letter that was sent out by the City in March that invited comments/concerns from contractors. The first letter was received from Houston Demolition regarding returned phone calls and the demolition requirements. Debbie Scarcella stated that each lot is required to have temporary drainage. There was brief discussion regarding the drainage requirements. Debbie Scarcella stated that since the issues with Houston Demolition occurred, the City has a picture of a properly graded lot on view at the Public Works building. Dave Miller asked if there was way to reword the existing ordinance that would allow contractors to pass the demolition inspection without providing swales for temporary drainage. Dr. Peter Benjamin stated there was an existing ordinance that tells the contractor exactly what needs to be done and that the contractor needs to follow it. Sean Landis stated if the requirement is changed regarding temporary drainage for the lot, then there would not be anyone to hold responsible since the demolition inspection has already passed. Bryant Slimp asked that Debbie Scarcella call Houston Demolition back to discuss the requirements. J Denis Powers asked that staff draft up some changes to the existing drainage ordinance and bring the changes back to the next regular scheduled meeting. The letter from Absolute Remodeling & Painting was discussed. Debbie Scarcella stated that the first bullet point that the contractor addresses regarding the larger budget to hire another inspection has already been taken care of. The City has hired another inspector and once he is able to inspect by himself, Pete Solis will become the dedicated plans examiner. The second item is regarding the many requirements the City has and would like • for them to be relaxed depending on the type of work being performed. There was brief discussion regarding foundation load calculations and the energy certification requirements. Debbie Scarcella stated the energy certification is a requirement per the 2003 International 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713066804441 0 www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes June 7, 2007 Residential Code. There was also general discussion regarding the inspection process and the letters from the engineers regarding the foundation and pier inspections. Debbie Scarcella and Sean Landis stated the City looks at other criteria during the inspection, such as setback requirements, if the piers are located in the proper location and proper protection of plumbing. The engineer submits a letter stating the work has been done per his specifications. Debbie Scarcella stated she does think some of the inspections should be combined as one inspection instead of doing three or four different ones. Dave Miller suggested that staff review ordinances that are no longer being used when a new ordinance is added and make a proposal to have the ordinance removed. 2. Urban Forest Code Amendments. Debbie Scarcella state that Craig Koehl was requested to attend a City Council meeting for another City and was unavailable to attend the BSC meeting. There was general discussion regarding the classes of trees; which trees were added or deleted. Dave Miller asked why there are four classes of trees. Debbie Scarcella stated the classes have to do with when Craig does an evaluation of the trees - there is a point value that the criteria manual uses. There was general discussion about allowing a builder a special exception for not removing an "heirloom" tree. There was general discussion regarding the existing fees to replace trees depending on the size of trees that were removed. Debbie Scarcella stated that one item that was discussed was to have the builder submit a tree disposition plan with a planting plan to see where the replacement trees will be planted and what type of trees. Dave Miller asked if the City could require the contractor to replace the trees and also charge a fee to be paid to the City for the trees that were removed. James Dougherty stated the Constitution limits what could be done. The Texas Supreme Court thought it was very important that rather the city just taking the money, that they did give the developers the option to set aside parkland. 3. Demolition Regulations Amendments. James Dougherty discussed the amendment changes that were made to the existing demolition regulations. There was a brief discussion regarding the changes. Dave Miller made a motion to accept the amendments to Section 18-1 and 18-65 and that the BSC accepts the amendments and recommends the adoption of the changes by City Council. Dr. Peter Benjamin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 4. Storm Sewer Protection. Bryant Slimp stated that City Council would be meeting shortly to establish goals for the various boards. Mr. Slimp asked that this item be tabled until they hear back from City Council. Dave Miller made a motion to table the item. Dr. Peter Benjamin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 5. Meeting Minutes. J. Denis Powers made a motion to approve the May 3, 2007 minutes as amended. Brian Hoogendam seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting minutes passed. i Page 2 of 2 Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes June 7, 2007 [Adjournment] Dr. Peter Benjamin motioned to adjourn. Muddy McDaniel seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. PASSED THIS~W-pAY OF , 2007 Bryant Slimp, Chairmane~ ATTEST: Tc~'\ ~ M - 0 , y~~V Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician Page 3 of 3