HomeMy WebLinkAbout06032004 BSC Agenda Item 3 City of WestTJniversity Place
A Neighborhood City
0 Recycled Pa Building & Standards Commission
Municipal Building, Bill Watson Conference Room
3800 University Boulevard 04:1,1
Meetin g 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. Meeting 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 •West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713.668.4441 • 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. Roofing 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 THIS DAY OF , 2004.
Bryant Slimp, Chairman
ATTEST:
Ms. Annette R.Arriaga Development Services Secretary