HomeMy WebLinkAbout12012005 BSC Agenda Item 2 • •
City of West Univert IT •versity Place
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Building & Standards Commission
Located in the Bill Watson Conference Room,
3800 University Blvd,
West University Place, Texas 77005
Meeting Minutes
November 16,2005
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, Dr. Peter Benjamin,J. Denis Powers,Muddy
McDaniel
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin McMahon, David Flame, & Kevin McMahon
STAFF PRESENT: City Attorney James Dougherty, Chief Building Official
Debbie Scarcella, and Secretary Jennifer Gonzales
GUESTS PRESENT: Robert Riquelmy
[Call to Order]
Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Discussion ensued regarding the need to
take the agenda out of order. There was no objection from staff or the Commission.
Dr. Peter Benjamin made a motion to take the agenda out of order. Muddy McDaniel
seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Denis Powers, Dr. Peter Benjamin, and Muddy
McDaniel. NOES: None.
Motion passed 4 to 0.
1. Forms, certifications, inspection. Matters relating to standard applications, forms, and
certifications as they pertain to construction of foundations, demolition and inspections of
same, etc.
City Attorney James Dougherty gave a brief overview of the drafted foundation form, which
has been designed as a checkbox form. Mr. Dougherty pointed out two options for the
contractor as: (1) The contractor can rely on the geoscientist for the soil report, or(2) The
contractor can attach another certification(i.e., for lab he can check lab and attach the H2O
lab report). Mr. Dougherty then added that he made the following corrections to the form:
1. Incorporation of document
2. Typo correction in the first line
3. He changed the seal at the bottom to say"R.L.P.E."
Dr. Benjamin requested that"R.L.P. E.D"be defined, and Ms. Scarcella stated she would add
a notation"...as defined in the ordinance". Mr. Dougherty asked to move forward with this
item, and allow Ms. Scarcella to work with it for a few weeks. Discussion ensued between
the Commission and city staff regarding the second category entitled"observation" and Mr.
Slimp pointed out that the type of documentation that would be acceptable would be at the
Building Official's discretion. Mr. Dougherty also suggested the following additions:
1. Add blanks after"Form#" and check which form is attached.
2. On third checkbox, add a blank or identifying mark that would tie or link the
approval by the building official to something on file at the office.
3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713.668.4441 • www.westu.org
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Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2005
3. Add a way to identify plans approved last by the Building Official in order to link
the new plan with previous projects.
Mr. Slimp commented that he would like for a third owner of a house to be able to research
what work has been done on a home or to provide a paper path for a homeowner that would
like to file charges/grievances/complaints against an engineer/builder. His goal is to have the
foundation done right and to have a paper path to hold the builder and RLPE accountable. Mr.
Slimp added that he would like for Chief Building Official to have the latitude to change or
"tweak"the form as needed. Ms. Scarcella is ready to move forward,with effective date:
December 5th
Demolition Permit Form: Mr. Slimp pointed out that Ms. Scarcella has modified a copy of a
form that she obtained at the Code Conference in Freeport. Ms. Scarcella pointed out the
following notes:
1. The form is presented in a format that can be used interactively on the Internet.
2. Will have the following information documented on the form: Contractor
Registration; Insurance carrier's name, address,phone number, insurance limitations,
and expiration date; Subcontractor fields (plumbing, electrical, tree disposition).
Ms. Scarcella pointed out they are aiming for one application for a multiple permit request,
however will have the same permit number. They would like the "full story"on one
application form. Mr. Dougherty explained that by doing this and identifying all permits
needed at the beginning stage, this would allow for staff to set some parameters on an
indefinite category. He explained this would help to avoid the grandfather clause of permits
that are first issued from the ordinance changing at a later date.
Ms. Scarcella pointed out she is also requesting the following info: number of stories; type of
construction; type of occupancy(for commercial projects); Tree Disposition plans;
subcontractor data(electrical &plumbing); if service is underground and how much digging
is taking place; verification of underground utilities being located by attaching
confirmation/tracking info from Texas One Call. Mr. McDaniel asked if the permit holder
would have to be onsite. Ms. Scarcella responded absolutely, and she added that she is
requesting a"schedule of demolition"so the city staff will know the when demolition work
takes place and so that they can send out a code enforcement officer to the site.
Mr. Dougherty added that the word"license" should be "registration". There was discussion
regarding the noise situation. Ms. Scarcella pointed out builders will need to refer to the noise
limits ordinance that was just amended and believes the time frame of any work is between
the hours of 7:00 am— 8:00 pm.
Mr. Powers made a motion to approve the forms and permit applications as to content and
support the use of the forms and applications effective December 5, 2005 in conjunction with
all applications for permits within the scope of City Ordinance No. 1791 provisions. Mr.
McDaniel seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp,Denis Powers, Dr. Peter Benjamin,
and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None.
Motion passed 4 to 0.
2. 2003 International Building Codes. Matters relating to the possible adoption of the 2003
International Building Code Family, including those related to building, plumbing, gas,
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Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2005
mechanical, residential dwellings, minimum housing standards, and draft amendments of the
Technical Code Schedule.
Ms. Scarcella pointed out the drafted amendments of the Technical Codes, previously called
the"Standard Code Schedule." Ms. Scarcella felt that this was done because the City adopted
the "Standard Building Code." She added that the state legislation passed a bill that all
entities that enforce Commercial Codes to use the 2003 International Building Codes and they
amended a previous bill from two years ago that required the City to adopt updated version of
the International Residential Codes. Ms. Scarcella is proposing to adopt the 2003 Addition of
the following codes:
1. International Building Code
2. International Energy Conservation Code
3. International Fuel/Gas Code
4. International Mechanical Code
5. International Plumbing Code
6. International Residential Code
With the following changes:
1. Deletion of the requirement that return air ducts be installed in 10"of unfinished floor
2. Addition of a table out of the IRC - 301.2(1) (Certain conditions will need to be
met based on certain criteria for a particular areas. (i.e. flood plain,wind speed).
3. At the beginning, insert"City of West University Place" as the jurisdiction that the
code governs.
A lengthy discussion ensued regarding wind speed categories and the different factors that place
new construction into certain categories. Ms. Scarcella explained that West University Place is e
in a"Moderate to High"category.
Guest, Mr. Robert Riquelmy, asked the Commission to be careful about putting return air in
ceilings that require service. He pointed out there could be major health and safety issues.
Discussion ensued regarding Mr. Riquelmy's concern and Ms. Scarcella replied that staff
could simply say"...No return air in ceilings,period". Mr. Riquelmy suggested having an
alternate filtering device.
Mr. McDaniel made a motion to approve and support the proposed 2003 International
Building Code ordinance amendment with the changes as recommended. Mr. Powers
seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, Denis Powers, Dr. Peter Benjamin, and Muddy
McDaniel. NOES: None. Ms. Scarcella pointed out that she is hoping for January 1, 2006 as
the effective date.
Motion passed 4 to 0.
3. Structural. Matters relating to general structural requirements, and draft amendment of the
Technical Code Schedule.
Ms. Scarcella pointed out the BSC held a workshop on October 25th and that the BSC has
been working on engineered requirements for the structural elements of the structure,
including framing and wood-flooring system. Ms. Scarcella referred to section C of the
current draft and listed the following changes that were proposed:
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Building and Standards Commission Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2005
1. Framing: Sheathing off framing must include full exterior sheathing with structural
elements or blocking along all joints. Plans must indicate type, size, and spacing of
fasteners. All sheathing must be a minimum 7/16 inch structural wood panel.
2. Builders have to list the species or grade of all lumbar used for trusses,joists, etc. in
the plans.
3. List the length and spacing of trusses, and the addition of the wood truss requirements
After a brief discussion regarding the structural draft, Mr. Slimp stated he would like this item
to be tabled until the BSC can have one more workshop, preferably in January.
4. Meeting Minutes. Matters relating to meeting minutes from the October 25, 2006 BSC
meeting.
Dr. Benjamin made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the October 25, 2005
Building and Standards Commission meeting. Mr. McDaniel seconded the motion. AYES:
Bryant Slimp, Denis Powers, Dr. Peter Benjamin, and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None.
Motion passed 4 to 0.
5. Notices, Rules, Etc. Matters relating to notices, rules, meeting procedures and identifying
parties.
Ms. Scarcella introduced new Developmental Services staff member Mrs. Jennifer Gonzales,
who has the title of Permit Technician. She gave a brief overview of Mrs. Gonzales's
position with the City of West University Place and stated that Mrs. Gonzales came from the
City of Pearland's Engineering/Permit Department. The BSC members welcomed Mrs.
Gonzales to the city staff.
Discussion ensued regarding the next meeting date. Mr. McDaniel made a motion to move
the next meeting date to January 5th,with a second by Dr. Benjamin. AYES: Bryant Slimp,
Denis Powers, Dr. Peter Benjamin, and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None.
Motion passed 4 to 0.
[Adjournment]
Mr. McDaniel made a motion to adjourn. Dr. Benjamin seconded the motion. AYES: Bryant
Slimp, Denis Powers, Dr. Peter Benjamin, and Muddy McDaniel. NOES: None.
Motion passed 4 to 0.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
PASSED THIS DAY OF , 2005
Bryant Slimp, Chairman
ATTEST:
Mrs. Jennifer Gonzales, Permit Technician
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