HomeMy WebLinkAbout06052014 BSC Agenda Item 3 • •
STAFF REPORT
Business of the Building and Standards Commission
City of West University Place, Texas
AGENDA OF: June 5, 2014
DEPARTMENT OF ORIGIN: Development
DATE SUBMITTED: June 3, 2014 Services
PREPARED BY: Clay Chew PRESENTER: Clay Chew
Chief Building Official Chief Building Official
SUBJECT: Masonry Fences STAFF PRESENTER:
Clay Chew
Chief Building Official
ATTACHMENTS:
STAFF SUMMARY
Background:
Masonry fence permit applications have been denied in the past due to not
meeting the prescriptive design criteria of our code or the damage a monolithic
foundation would do to tree roots. An alternate method of supporting this type of fence
would be beneficial for residents and contractors by providing flexibility in design and
application. The proposed ordinance amendment contains provisions for an engineered
design which meets windstorm and tree preservation/protection regulations.
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+110 •
City of West University Place
Harris County, Texas
Ordinance No.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE, TEXAS; AMENDING CHAPTER 18 OF THE WEST
UNIVERSITY PLACE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION
18-210 REGARDING MASONRY FENCE CONSTRUCTION; CONTAINING
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FINDINGS AND OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SUBJECTS.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE:
Section 1. Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of West University
Place, Texas (the "Code of Ordinances") is amended by adding subparagraph B to section
18-210 which requires the fence foundation and wall to be engineered as set out in
Appendix A, attached hereto. Requirements for complying with the tree preservation and
protection regulations are also included. All other portions of Chapter 18 of the Code of
Ordinances not specifically amended hereby remain in full force and effect.
Section 3. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance
are repealed to the extent of the conflict only.
Section 4. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, section or other part
of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall ever be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, neither the
remainder of this ordinance, nor the application of such word, phrase, clause, sentence,
paragraph, section or other part of this ordinance to any other persons or circumstances,
shall be affected thereby.
Section 5. The City Council officially finds, determines and declares that a
sufficient written notice of the date, hour, place and subject of each meeting at which this
ordinance was discussed, considered or acted upon was given in the manner required by
the Texas Open Meetings Act, as amended, and that each such meeting has been open to
the public as required by law at all times during such discussion, consideration and action.
The City Council ratifies, approves and confirms such notices and the contents and
posting thereof.
Section 5. This ordinance shall become effective on the tenth day following its
publication, as provided in the City Charter.
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CONSIDERED, PASSED, AND APPROVED on first reading on _ , 20
CONSIDERED, PASSED, AND APPROVED on second reading, AND SIGNED, on
, 20
Attest: Signed:
City Secretary Mayor
Recommended:
City Manager
Approved as to legal form:
City Attorney
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APPENDIX A
Amend Section 1.8-210 as follows:
Sec. 18-210. Masonry construction.
Masonry fences must be made of brick,vitrified clay tile,concrete tile, or
monolithic reinforced concrete, and must be built according to one of the following
specifications:
A. (1)At least eight inches thick for double-wall construction,which shall be either
brick,vitrified clay tile, or concrete tile; at least six inches thick for single-wall
construction,which shall be only of brick or monolithic reinforced concrete
construction.
(2)Pilasters shall be placed on not more than 12-foot centers,or adequate steel
reinforcing shall be placed in the whole fence.
(3)Expansion joints shall be placed on not more than 24-foot centers.
(4)The fence shall have a foundation which shall rest on drilled footings sunk to
approved bearing soil. Such footings shall be not less than 12 inches in diameter,
and each footing shall have not less than four one-half-inch ties on three-foot
centers. Foundation beams shall be not less than 12 inches wide and not less than
18 inches deep with not less than four five-eighths-inch reinforcing rods and three-
eighths-inch ties, on not less than 30-inch centers.
(5)Emergency portals may be required; see above.
B. The fence must be engineered by a structural engineer as required in Appendix
C of the Code of Ordinances. The engineered design must be for the foundation
and the fence wall and meet the windstorm requirements of the adopted building
code.
In addition, the fence and fence foundation must be approved by the city's Urban
Forester for compliance with the tree preservation and protection regulations.