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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01092014 BSC Minutes The City of West University Place ,\eiglibolhuod Gin Building & Standards Commission Located in the Bill Watson Conference Room, 3800 University Blvd, West University Place, Texas 77005 Meeting Minutes January 9,2014 MEMBERS PRESENT: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin, Chuck Marshall, Muddy McDaniel and Bruce Beneke MEMBERS ABSENT: Denny Powers and Kris Westbrook STAFF PRESENT: Building Official John R. Brown, Legal Counsel Shelly Eversole and Permit Technician Josie M. Hayes GUEST PRESENT Councilmen Dick Yehle, Stewart Baker, Carlos Gutierrez, Chung Nguyen, Connor McManus, Joe McManus, R. George Cunningham, Les Albin and Councilwomen, Joan Johnson [Call to Order] Steve Brown called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 1. Notices, Rules, Etc. Steve Brown welcomed BSC members, visitors and staff members to the meeting. There were introductions of BSC members, visitors and staff. Steve Brown stated Bruce Beneke would be the alternate voting member. 2. Meeting Minutes. Frank Griffin made a motion to approve the August 2, 2012, September 6, 2012 with the recommended modifications and the July 11, 2013 meeting minutes. Vernon Tyger seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion approved. 3. The Commission to select a Vice Chairman. Vernon Tyger stated he was interested in the Vice Chairman position. Vernon Tyger made a motion to nominate himself as Vice Chairman. Steve Brown seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion approved. Frank Griffin made a motion to suspend the regular meeting and go into the hearing mode. Vernon Tyger seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. Everyone testifying or speaking on any issue was sworn in by Steve Brown. TOP WORK PLACES 3800 University Boulevard I West University Place, TX 77005 I www.westutx.gov The City of West University Place ,A'ei hborhnucl 4. Appeal of a decision regarding foundation support for solid fence construction. John R. Brown gave a brief background of the foundation requirements and stated he denied the fence application because it was not according to the requirements. The building contractor submitted an application for a masonry fence to be constructed using the"pouring slabs for the tilt-wall construction residential house walls which were to be cut into fence panels and placed inside C-Channels for support". Mr. Brown denied this based on the lack of foundation beams being constructed connecting the deep piers per Chapter 18, Section 18-210(4). Mr. Brown suggested the applicants appeal his decision instead of filing for a variance because of the time restraints. Mr. Brown stated he has previously approved of fencing without the foundation beam when it was in the best interest of preserving trees along Bellaire Blvd. based on the City Forester's recommendations. George Cunningham stated he has done numerous projects just like this one and the design is viable. There was general discussion regarding the design of the fence. The piers are 12' apart, the poured deck will be cut up and attached to the piers by sliding the panels in between. The bottom ends of the reinforced panels rest on the piers which carry the load. Les Albin stated he was present when the original foundation ordinance was created and the discussion at the time would not apply to masonry fences/walls. The ordinance wasn't designed to address this issue. There was general discussion regarding John R. Brown having concerns that the piers would shift or rotate. Sylvette Bobb made a motion to reverse the decision of the Building Official because the section of the codes does not apply to this situation. Bruce Beneke seconded the motion. AYES: Sylvette Bobb. NOES: Steve Brown, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. ABSTAIN: None. Motion failed. Frank Griffin made a motion for staff to revisit the code that addresses construction techniques for masonry fences. Vernon Tyger seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. Sylvette Bobb made a motion to close the hearing and resume the regular meeting. Frank Griffin seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. 5. Code Amendments. John Brown stated corrections to the wording needed to be changed for clarification. The words "vertical reinforcing rods and three-eighths inch ties on" needed to be inserted and the word"less" under Section 18-210-4 needed to be changed to "more". Vernon Tyger made a motion to approve the suggested amendments to Section 18-210-4 that John R. Brown proposed and recommend them to City Council for approval. Sylvette Bob seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Motion passed. TOP WORK PLACES 3800 University Boulevard I West University Place, TX 77005 I www.westutx.gov The City of West University Place 1 ,A ei hbc)t l tooc1(:i n PUBLIC COMMENTS. Mr. Stewart Baker stated he has been making some renovations to his commercial property at 5310 and 5320 Kirby. Mr. Baker stated he is not asking for a variance or an appeal but asked the board to take his comments into consideration. Shelly Eversole stated the board could listen to his comments,but they could not take action on any of the items. Mr. Baker wanted to replace a wire fence that is around the dumpster and build a CMU wall with an engineered foundation at 5310 Kirby. Mr. Brown stated a form survey would be required to make sure the wall was not on the property line. Mr. Baker thought one was not needed because it was not directly on the property line and was pointless. The other issue is regarding his tenant and the sign for Community Trust Bank located at 5320 Kirby. The pylon sign would lose its non-conforming status if it was changed. Mr. Baker thinks the pylon signs should be considered three assemblies and if he altered one of the assemblies, it should not affect the other two. Mr. Brown maintains that all three assembles are one and if Mr. Baker modifies one, then it loses its non-conforming status. Mr. Baker stated that if Mr. Brown does not reconsider this, it leaves and unattractive sign that reduces the commercial value of the signage, of the lease and eventually the property. Mr. Baker stated he thought the interest of the City is to reduce signage and that is why the City code was changed some time ago. [Adjournment] Sylvette Bob made a motion to adjourn. Vernon Tyger seconded the motion. AYES: Steve Brown, Sylvette Bobb, Vernon Tyger, Frank Griffin and Bruce Beneke. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. P� ' sir;AYO , 2014 • IF Steve Brow airman ATTEST: N.� 1 ai r2-S Mrs. Josie M. Hayes, Permit Technician jY 3800 University Boulevard I West University Place, TX 77005 I www.westutx.gov