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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05062004 BSC Minutes City of West University Place A Neighborhood City Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission Municipal Building, Bill Watson Conference Room 3800 University Boulevard Meeting Minutes May 6th' 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, David Flame (Arrived at 6:37 p.m.) John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers, Darryl Friday, Brian Hoogendam and Kevin McMahon. MEMBERS ABSENT: Muddy McDaniel. COUNCIL LIASION: Mike Woods. STAFF PRESENT: Annette Arriaga and Dennis Mack. GUESTS PRESENT: Les Albin and Robert Riquelmy. [Call to Order.] With a quorum, present Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Bryant Slimp stated that the BSC voting alternate would be Kevin McMahon. 2. MeetinE Minutes. Dr. Peter Benjamin made a motion first to approve meeting minutes as amended from the April 1St, 2004 BSC meeting. J Denis Powers seconds the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Kevin McMahon. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: Motion passed. Minutes Approved. 3. Matters Relating to the Building and Standard Commission Recommendations and Status Report. A) Conditions at 4029 Case Street. Dennis Mack stated that the house at 4029 Case Street is in the process of getting demolished. Entex was in fact going out to cut off the gas at 8:00 p.m., May 6th, 2004. The demo of the house should take place in the next couple days. 4. Foundations. John Ayres stated that the Foundation Workshop was a very interesting workshop and that basically having a good soils report is the first major step for a better foundation. Bryant Slimp stated that Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E., discussed and showed slides about the various stages of a soils report. Mr. Michael Skoller, P.E., discussed the different design approaches and different types of methods that are used for house foundations. They both recommended better Geotechnical exploration and reporting for residential projects in West University. Mike Woods discussed methods that would be required from the residents as well as the contractors. He asked the question, "How do we keep the same type of problem from happening, from the soils engineer as well as the structural engineer?" Bryant Slimp stated, "You can not." Les Albin stated that the building standards that we set here and now would be here for the next several years. He also stated that if you are next door to a neighbor that has a house having major problems such as structural or foundation problems that the house will not sell for what it is worth. That means that your property value goes down also, and the problem ripples out to affect the neighboring property values as well. John Ayres added that the draft ordinance that we are considering is a really good system that contains a list of codes and procedures that can actually tighten up our current system. Darryl Friday added that we are not guaranteed that the engineer is doing his job. Bryant Slimp to indicated that Jim Dougherty did in fact have it written into the new draft that the licensed professional engineer or his delegate must be on site for the foundation work. Brian Hoogendam stated that a homebuilder should have the option to choose a type of foundation. If you read 3800 University Boulevard 0 West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713066804441 • www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes May 6th, 2004 Page 2of 2 • through the information that has been supplied, the builder will have the option to choose out of the several types of foundations based on the soils report and the associated risk factors. West University will select the type of standard that the builder must choose. If the builder decides to go with another foundation then the builder will have to get permission from the BSC. Brian Hoogendam also stated that if you are adding more than 400 to 500 square feet you should go through the proper building permit channels, and the addition must be built to code. Les Albin asked, "What do you define as failure? " J. Denis Powers asked, "What is considered a failure? " The failure rate must be discussed further. Bryant Slimp indicated to BSC that this draft ordinance is definitely a work in progress and there would be another Foundation Workshop some time during the week of May 17th through the 21st. Staff will be issuing a notice to that affect. Dennis Mack stated that he would have another map for BSC to review showing all the houses that have had foundation repair or permits issued in ten-year increments. It would show the address and the year the house was built. Bryant Slimp wanted BSC to make sure they review all the material that had been sent from Mr. Eastwood. No motion made. Item to be put back on next month's agenda. 5. Old Stock Housing. Brian Hoogendam stated that he wanted to come up with a draft position statement addressing Old Stock Housing and show it to BSC at its next meeting. He wants to generate a form letter or notice to the residents of West University letting them know what they can and can not do in regards to remodeling and addition work on OSH, especially in the areas of electrical and plumbing. No motion made. Item to be put back on next month's agenda. 6. Roofine Materials. Dennis Mack reviewed the classes of roofing materials and the fire ratings of each class. He stated that as close as the houses are in West University are built together, that he would recommend Class A roofing only. Dennis stated that he would get with Jim Dougherty on the draft wording to change the Standard Code Schedule. Staff will ask Al Collins send a memo or advising the BSC on of the value of Class A type roofing materials. No motion made. Item to be put back on next month's agenda. [Adjournment.] J. Denis Powers motioned first to adjourn. John Ayres seconds the motion to adjourn. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Kevin McMahon. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m. PASSED THIS3r AY OF , 2004. Bryant Slimp, Cha rman ATTEST: Ms. A nette R. Arriaga Development Services S cr ary