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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05062004 BSC Agenda Item 2 City of West TJiiiversity Place A Neighborhood City CI Recycled Paper Building & Standards Commission Municipal Building, Bill Watson Conference Room OlpA 3800 University Boulevard Meeting Minutes April 1st'2004 7 1 MEMBERS PRESENT: Bryant Slimp, David Flame (Arrived at 7:10 p.m.) John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin,J. Denis Powers,Darryl Friday and Kevin McMahon. MEMBERS ABSENT: Brian Hoogendam and Muddy McDaniel. COUNCIL LIASION: Mike Woods,Mike Farley. STAFF PRESENT: Annette Arriaga, Dennis Mack and Jim Dougherty. GUESTS: Craig Hughes,David Eastwood P.E., Michael A. Skoller P.E., and Les Albin. [Call to Order.] With a quorum,present Bryant Slimp called the meeting to order at 6:00p.m. 1. Notices,Rules,Etc.Bryant Slimp stated that the BSC voting alternate would be Kevin McMahon. 2. Meeting Minutes. John Ayres made a motion first to approve the workshop meeting minutes from the February 10, March 2, and March 11, 2004 BSC meetings. Kevin McMahon seconds the motion. John Ayres made a motion first to approve the meeting minutes from the March 6, 2004 BSC meeting. Dr. Peter Benjamin 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. City Council Goals. Bryant Slimp updated BSC on how it went with City Council and stated that he felt that it went very well. Mike Woods stated that Bryant Slimp did a great job on presenting the goals to Council. Mike Woods added that on the discussion of foundation and their design. He wanted to know the failure rates possible starting from the year 1992. He wanted to know exactly how much foundations problems that West University Place was actually experiencing. Dennis Mack stated that he is currently working on a program that will work with the GSI system that will eventually pull all the data from our current system and it will list all of the homes that have had some type of foundation repair. Denny Powers added what would be the acceptable failure rates? Les Albin stated that there is clearly a lot of movement in the West University area. Bryant asked Dennis Mack if this type of report could be provided within two weeks or by the next BSC meeting. 4. Matters Relating to the Building Standard Commission Recommendations and Status Report. A) Update on 4029 Case Street. The resident Mr. Bruce E. Bowen had until March 31s`, 2004 to remove all items from the house and have the house demolished. Dennis Mack stated that Daniel Paripovich is in the process of sending out proper notifications and 4029 Case would probably be put back on next month's agenda.No motion made. 5. Foundations. Bryant Slimp introduced the guests, Mr. Michael A. Skoller P.E., is with National Structural Engineering, and David Eastwood P.E., who is president of Geotech Engineering and Testing, Inc. and the author of several of the articles that BSC had been observing. He is primarily in charge of the design and development process of foundations. Bryant Slimp asked for Jim 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713.668 04441 • www.westu.org Building and Standards Commission Minutes April 1st,2004 Page 2of 3 Dougherty, City Attorney, to go ahead and discuss the foundation draft changes. Jim Dougherty stated that he has a proposed re-draft of the foundation amendments. He also added an alternate version with an exception for old stock housing, drafted along the lines discussed in a development staff meeting. Jim Dougherty asked for BSC to fill in the blanks. ("Old stock"would have to be at least years old and have no more than % framed area). Regardless of which version is used, it would be a good idea to clarify if the new amendments are intended to apply to: (i) one story garages or accessory building's, (ii) semi-enclosed garages or carports, (iii) additions to existing buildings, (iv) similar structures. The cost impact types of structures could be severe. Bryant Slimp asked for BSC to review the draft and he introduced Mr. Michael A. Skoller, P.E. and David A. Eastwood P.E., who are the authors' of several of the articles that BSC has reviewed. Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E. stated that he has been doing engineering in the Houston area for quite some time. During the past decade, depending on the firm, recommendations for design of custom residential homes vary quite a bit and he stated that he recommends procedures to conduct better Geotechnical exploration for custom residential projects in the West University area, most of the homes are supported on drilled footing type foundations. Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E., continued to add that he had reviewed various soil types in Houston, Bellaire and the West University Place area. He has studied the risks, heave computations, drilled footings depths, various slab designs, elevation of environmental conditions etc., About 40% of the reports did not have a discussion on risks of using different types of foundations. For example, they did not discuss whether a structural slab was better than a slab on fill type foundation supported on piers. Again, this is extremely important because, by discussing the risk associated with each different type of foundation,the soils engineer brings in the architect,the structural engineer,the builder and the owner into the decision making process. Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E., continued to discuss drilled footing depth an stated an average pier depth of 10.5 ft. Currently, we recommend piers to be placed 12-ft to 15 ft in the Houston area where expansion soils are present. Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E., described the different types of systems used and the cost associated with it. The foundation types used are Drilled Footings, Piers and Beam, Structural Slab and Slab on Fill. 95% of Post tension slab is used in the Houston area, with very low failure rates. Mr. Michael Skoller P.E., of national Structural Engineering, Inc. discussed the engineering aspects and what he looks at. He stated that he is part of the structural committee that was formed to make sure that there was a general outline that was established to set standards and procedures for foundation for construction. He stated that an engineer should visit the sites and inspect the work during construction to confirm that the work is done in accordance with plans. Also, that the number and placement of any piers or other footings is correct or acceptable given conditions encountered on site. That the size and depth of any piers or other footings is correct. Mr. David A. Eastwood P.E., stated that Geotechnical firms need to set standards to assure the quality of work. Labs are not monitored and not supervised. Bryant Slimp stated that there would be another foundation workshop scheduled and that BSC would invite Mr. Michael Skoller P.E., and Mr. David A. Eastwood P•E., to the workshop. Bryant Slimp stated that this item would be put back on next month's agenda. No motion made. 6. Old Stock Housing. Bryant Slimp stated that Brian Hoogendam could not attend the BSC meeting due to the fact that he was out of town so stated that Old Stock Housing would be put back on next month's agenda. Item tabled. 7. Roofing Materials. Dennis Mack stated that he would like some guidance on what BSC is specifically looking for in regards to roofing materials. Our current City Ordinance allows class(C) type of wood shingles. Dennis Mack stated that, as close as the houses are that he would recommend class (B) . Les Albin stated that he recommends class (A). Dennis Mack stated that he could allow class(A)as a standard in our community. Dennis Mack stated that he could amend the standard code schedule and pass the exception and to make roofing materials only applicable to the residential code. Dennis Mack stated that he would get with Jim Dougherty and see if this would be expectable He would see if he could tie it in the residential and commercial ordinances and make any modifications separate. Building and Standards Commission Minutes April 1 St,2004 Page 3of 3 8. Sian Ordinance. Bryant Slimp stated that Jim Dougherty the City attorney met with Darryl Friday in regards to the Sign Ordinance. Darryl Friday stated that Jim Dougherty answered all of his questions he had in regards to the Sign Ordinances. Bryant Slimp asked if BSC wanted to make a motion on the Sign Ordinance. BSC agreed. The motion is as followed. A motion that the Building Standards Commission accept the proposed amendments to the current West University sign ordinance to allow compliance with federal rules regarding signs, and to recommend to the West University City Council that the Building and Standards Commission support the adoption of the sign ordinance modifications as of April 1St, 2004. Darryl Friday motioned first to approve. John Ayres seconds the motion. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin, J. Denis Powers and Kevin McMahon.NONE:None. ABSTAIN: Motion passed. [Adjournment.] Denny Powers motioned first to adjourn. Kevin McMahon seconds the motion to adjourn. AYES: Bryant Slimp, David Flame, John Ayres, Dr. Peter Benjamin (left early at 7:05 p.m.), J. Denis Powers and Kevin McMahon. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. PASSED THIS DAY OF ,2004. Bryant Slimp,Chairman ATTEST: Ms. Annette R. Arriaga Development Services Secretary