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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02152005 BSC Minutes SS City of West University Place i A Neighborhood City Special Meeting ® Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission 3826 Amherst Street, In the Public Works Building, Located in the Public Conference Room, West University Place, TX. 77005 Meeting Minutes February 15th, 2005 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, John Ayres, J. Denis Powers and Brian Hoogendam. MEMBERS ABSENT: Dr. Peter Benjamin, Kevin McMahon, Muddy and McDaniel. COUNCIL LIASION: Mike Woods (absent). STAFF PRESENT: Annette Arriaga, Dennis Mack and Jim Dougherty GUESTS PRESENT: Larkin Matthews, Les Albin and Robert Riquelmy. [Call to Order.] With a quorum, present Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 3:07 p.m. 1. Special Meeting. Bryant Slimp referred to the draft amendment of the Standard Code Schedule regarding foundations, dated 02-14-05. Note: Base draft includes revisions through 11-29-04; additional revisions requested 2-14-05 are marked in the text. Dennis Mack and Jim Dougherty presented a new draft amendment incorporating the comments from meeting between Mike Woods and Dennis Mack. • The group discussed the draft and talked about the term "habitable space" since, there were some concerns on what this meant. The term was better defined to the group's satisfaction once Dennis Mack stated that habitable space is already defined in the IBC. The next portion that was discussed was section (3), which covers Jim Dougherty, and Dennis Mack suggested the wording o£ (unless waived by the BSC as provided below.) See page 6, subsection h. Special Exceptions. The BSC may issue a special exception from any requirement in subsection "a" through "g" above, but only upon a showing that 1) the requirement will not affect life safety or performance of a structure 2) an alternate requirement to be imposed by the special exception will provide equal or better protection for life safety and long- term structural performance. Dennis Mack stated that if a RLPE who is doing one job and that if the insurance cost can't be justified by the amount of work that they are doing, then, they can an apply to the BSC for a special exception. Dennis Mack stated that this engineer would still have to go with either foundation types (1) or (2) for their foundation design. This will allow an RLPE with a smaller practice an out to certain insurance requirements. The special exception went further to state that: Unless the basic type of foundation is "structural slab with void space and deep foundations" or "structural floor with crawl space and deep foundations," as described above, the BSC may not issue a special exception waiving requirements for the RLPE or RLGE to have professional errors and omissions insurance. Bryant Slimp discussed the affect of trees and stated that the trees were acknowledged. He referred to the section on page 2, a. Engineering which states that: 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 0 713066804441 • www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission SS Meeting Minutes February 15th, 2005 Page 2of 3 If there are existing trees (either to remain or to be removed) within 20 feet of a • foundation, the RLPE must acknowledge, in writing, that the trees have been taken into account in the preparation of the plans and specifications. Larkin Matthews stated that we could only acknowledge so much. The engineers cannot take into account everything. John Ayres gave an example of homes in the Willow Bend area and how small trees were planted years ago that are now grown which in many instances have damaged the foundations. Dennis Mack stated that most Engineers would put in disclaimers for the future trees. The group examined page 1 part (3), which states: "RLPE" means a licensed or registered professional engineer of the State of Texas who is: Number (3) (unless waived by the BSC as provided in "h" below) etc; John Ayres discussed the insurance requirements. He asked why we would give the engineers an out? Why would we not require the errors and omissions insurance across the board? Why would we allow the soils labs to not have the insurance? Jim Dougherty stated that we are not requiring the soils lab to be insured. Jim Dougherty stated that we do require the geoscientist to have insurance. Dennis Mack stated that this was to just waive any requirement or anything, either one or both. This is a restriction, for example, for an engineer who wanted to build his own house. Jim Dougherty stated, that the code needs to be specific and make it clear for no waiver. Jim Dougherty will add in language allowing no waivers. The group reviewed page 2, b. Geotechnical Report. Partial Exception: The workshop agreed that the phrase (see -below) would be stricken. • The group reviewed page 3, d. Foundation, Basic Type: (see page 4, middle section.) The workshop agreed to strike out all of item numbers (6) and (7) as follows:. buildings of: additions to building eentaining enly gafage or- storage spaeo, habitable spaee). The group reviewed page 5 under the section (1) Observations must: The group agreed that if the RLPE's have to certify the work done, then let the engineers make the decisions concerning the work. The group reviewed the section, which states: (iii) Be performed een4ifiuettsly during placement of concrete and any stfes John Ayres and Bryant Slimp agreed to leave in the word "continuously" in the draft ordinance. The group reviewed the section on Certification that states: (ii) State that the work complies with the plans and specification last approved by the building official (with any field ehanges that are ordered by the RLPE and r-epo to the building offieial and that eomply with applienble Fegulations.) The group agreed keep the original wording, and thus to read: (ii) state that the work complies with the plans and specification last approved by the building official (with any field changes that are ordered by the RLPE and reported to the building official and that comply with applicable regulations.) The group agreed with the wording on page 6, h. Special Exceptions. Building and Standards Commission SS Meeting Minutes February 15th, 2005 Page 3of 3 (1) The requirement will not affect life safety or the performance of a structure (for- its estimated useful life); ner agreed to leave it off. The group agreed to make some changes and modifications on page 6, h. Special Exceptions. Jim Dougherty will re-write this section, which states: Unless the basic type of foundation is "structural slab with void space and deep foundations" or "structural floor with crawl space and deep foundations," as described above, the BSC may not issue a special exception waiving requirements for the RLPE or RLGE to have professional errors and omissions insurance. The new language will state: However. (i) unless the basic type of foundation is "structural slab with void space and deep foundations" or "structural floor with crawl space and deep foundations," as described in this section, the BSC may not issue a special exception waiving any requirement for an RLPE or RLGE to have professional errors and omissions insurance, in whole or in part; and (ii) the BSC may not waive any requirement for an RLGE to have such insurance. Jim Dougherty to make all of the changes and modifications that were discussed and have the draft amendment ready before the next scheduled BSC meeting. Motion: The group agreed to approve the draft amendment of the Standard Code Schedule regarding foundation with additional revisions, dated 02-15-05 to present to city council. John Ayres was first to approve the motion. J. Denis Powers seconds the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, John Ayres, J. Denis Powers and Brian Hoogendam. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. [Adjournment.] Meeting adjourned ^^at4::50 p.m. PASSED THIS DAY OF 2005. ~r Bryant S imp, Chairma ATTEST: Ms. Annette R. Arriaga Development Services e retary •