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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01042007 BSC Minutes 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 Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes January 4, 2007 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Brian Hoogendam, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers, Dave Miller, Michael Talianchich and Muddy McDaniel MEMBERS ABSENT: None COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Dick Yehle STAFF PRESENT: Chief Building Official Debbie Scarcella, Permit Technician, Josie Orosco, James L. Dougherty, Urban Forester, Craig Koehl, Plans Examiner, Pete Solis GUESTS PRESENT: Eva Ruth [Call to Order] Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp welcomed the visitors and staff members to the meeting. Dave Miller suggested that the Building and Standards Commission revisit the subject matter regarding posting of address numbers. Debbie Scarcella stated that the recommendation that was presented by the BSC a few months ago to City Council has been approved. Anyone not in compliance with the ordinance has one year to do so. 2. Portable Buildings and Storage Units. James Dougherty briefly discussed the recommended changes that were made to the ordinance from the last meeting. The main key being the definition of what constitutes a "portable storage unit". Items discussed were the size of the unit; location; length of time unit is kept at building site; and the distance where the unit should be placed at the building site from the property line. There was general discussion regarding the changes to the ordinance. Dave Miller made a motion to authorize Bryant Slimp to approve the changes that staff makes to the portable storage unit ordinance and present it as a draft to City Council. David Flame seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Dr. Peter Benjamin, Denis Powers and Dave Miller. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 3. Flood Protection and Prevention Regulations. Debbie stated the FEMA maps would be effective as of June 18, 2007. The City of West University has to have adopted the next code revisions by that time to be in compliance with the regulations. The other item included in the packet is a half finished draft report that is to be presented to City Council. The rural elevations were not included in the draft report. The report is a draft from the joint hearing that the BSC and ZPC had conducted. There was general discussion regarding what the City would approve as the base flood elevation. There was also 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 0 713066804441 0 www.westu.org ~ R Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes January 4, 2007 discussion regarding what criteria will be used to determine if a structure can be improved, or in some cases repaired, if located in a special flood hazard area. The freeboard and drainage requirements were also discussed. Bryant Slimp stated that Debbie Scarcella would finish the letter with the recommendations from the BSC and forward it to City Council. Debbie Scarcella would have Bryant Slimp review the changes before the report is sent to City Council. 4. Urban Forest Code Amendments. This item was discussed as the second agenda item. Craig Koehl stated that there are a few items that are in the ordinance that are not addressed. The first item is when a tree is removed, the replacement inches that are required. The ordinance states that the applicant can request a reduction in the amount of replacement inches that are required if the tree inches that are to be preserved meet 1-1/2 times the minimum planting standards for that size lot. The ordinance does not indicate the size of reduction. Another item is that the current ordinance protects any tree that is over 6" in diameter and is located in the front building set back. When doing replacement planting, the replacement trees can be as small as 2" in diameter. Craig Koehl's concern is that two weeks later, the contractor/homeowner decides to remove those trees and they are not protected by the current ordinance. A third item is the tree protection fencing that is required to be installed for permits. It does not specify in the ordinance that the fence has to be chain link fencing - some contractors are using the orange mesh fencing to protect the trees. Another item is if a tree is impacted during construction; then later dies; the ordinance reads that if the tree dies within two years after the impact then the tree has to be replaced. Craig Koehl's • concern is that most trees do not die within two years of the impact; sometimes it can take up to five years for the tree to die. It would be good to have some wording in the ordinance beyond dieing. Everyone has a different definition of the word "dead". There was also discussion from the BSC regarding the procedures that Center Point had to follow regarding trimming of trees. There was general discussion regarding the items that Craig Koehl suggested to be changed within the ordinance. The BSC asked Craig Koehl to make his recommended revisions to the existing ordinance and bring it back to the board next month for their review. 5. Meeting Minutes. Dave Miller made a motioned to approve the December 7, 2006 minutes as amended. Dr. Peter Benjamin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Dave Miller. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting minutes passed. [Adjournment] Dave Miller motioned to adjourn. David Flame seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Dave Miller. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 p.m. PASSED THIS DAY OF r)L 0 , 2007 Bryant Shmp, ChairmanATTEST: ~J 3\ ~ 1 Ms. Josie M. Orosco, Permit Technician Page 2 of 2