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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05032007 BSC Minutes City of Test University Place A Neighborhood City 0 ® Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission Located in the Public Works Facility Lunchroom, Located adjacent to 3825 Milton St West University Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes May 3, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Brian Hoogendam, Dr, Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller and Muddy McDaniel MEMBERS ABSENT: Michael Talianchich STAFF PRESENT: Chief Building Official Debbie Scarcella, Permit Technician Josie Orosco, James L. Dougherty and Urban Forester Craig Koehl GUESTS PRESENT: Robert Riquelmy [Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed the visitors and staff members to the meeting. Bryant Slimp stated that Muddy McDaniel, Dave Miller and Michael Talianchich, if present, would the alternate voting members. Debbie Scarcella announced that she has accepted the City • Planner position. She will still be attending the BSC meetings since she is the Supervisor for Code Enforcement and Urban Forestry. 2. Urban Forest Code Amendments. Craig Koehl gave an overview of the changes to the definitions. Some of the recommended definition changes were the following: criteria manual, critical root zone, damage, large tree, minimum planting standard, significant tree, tree and tree survey. There was brief discussion regarding some of the definition changes. Craig Koehl stated that each lot does have a minimum-planting standard that is based off the total square footage of the lot. The ordinance does not however state the location of where the trees are to be planted. For every 10" of trees removed, one is required to plant a 4" tree. Debbie Scarcella stated that the Urban Forest Management Plan handout that was part of the BSC packet came from a study that was conducted in 2005. It was presented to City Council and accepted, but Debbie Scarcella is not sure if it was adopted by City Council. Dr. Peter Benjamin asked if the City notifies residents of trees that cause hazardous situations. Craig Koehl stated the City is not actively notifying residents of hazardous trees. Mr. Koehl stated some of his concerns are regarding the replacement trees that are being planted and the smaller replacement trees. The small replacement trees are being packed in together and they will not develop very well. There was general discussion on what regulations the City could enforce to the builders to prevent builders from removing some of the large trees. One option is to require the builder to plant a "significant" tree when removing a large tree. Debbie Scarcella stated that she and Craig Koehl have discussed requiring the builder to replace a large tree with a "significant" tree along with requiring them to pay into the tree trust fund. Craig Koehl stated the existing ordinance does not 0 protect the "replacement trees". There needs to some language added to the ordinance to protect those trees. BSC asked that Craig Koehl review the qualified tree list to see if any trees can be 3800 University Boulevard 9 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 9 713966894441 • www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes May 3, 2007 deleted or added to the list. BSC asked that Craig Koehl made some additional changes and bring it back to the board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 3. Demolition Regulations Amendments. James Dougherty stated the best way to deal with slow demolition homes is to have a separate permit for salvage. The salvage permit would entitle the contractor to remove items from the interior that expires within a certain amount of time but to do anything more, the contractor would have to get a demolition permit. Debbie Scarcella stated that 30 days would be the appropriate amount of time for the salvage permit. Bryant Slimp asked that staff draft something up and bring it back to the BSC for review. 4. Storm Sewer Protection. There was general discussion on how to regulate the storm sewer issue. Debbie Scarcella stated that James Dougherty suggested that if the leaves are blown into the street, the lawn service company be required to use a vacuum to collect it. Another idea was to have every lawn service company register with the City with a minimum registration fee and at that time have the City give them a list of rules and ordinances to be followed. If the company doing the work does not follow the rules and ordinances then the Code Enforcement Officer will issue a fine. There was also general discussion on how the City could enforce the ordinance if it was adopted. There was a suggestion to have it put into the City Currents. Dave Miller suggested that the City require the lawn service company be required to use mulching blades on the lawnmowers. BSC asked that staff come up with something and bring it back to the board at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 5. Future Meeting Dates. The BSC reviewed the dates for the remaining BSC meetings. Bryant Slimp asked that there not be a July meeting. Dave Miller suggested that BSC still have a July meeting, but schedule it for a different date so the board will have sufficient time to complete the agenda items that are being discussed. June 28 was agreed upon for the July meeting date. The board agreed not to change any of the remaining meeting dates. 6. Meeting Minutes. J. Denis Powers made a motion to approve the April 5, 2007 minutes. Dave Miller seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting minutes approved. [Adjournment] J. Denis Powers motioned to adjourn. Dr. Peter Benjamin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m. PASSED THIS ?'DAY OF 2007 Bryant Slimp, Chai an I~S-\Q ATTEST: Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician Page 2 of 2