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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06021994 BSC Minutes.. F T,< 4 ' ~~( ~y S:Bf ' 1 ~ 6~p. ,L W F ..~.a a~.~ ~ ~~... -. • BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. JUNE 2, 1994, THURSDAY 6:30 P.M. The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Blvd. in the City of West University Place on June 2, 1994 for a regular session with the following members present: Craig DuCote, Vice-Chairman, Roy Harper, Les Albin, James McDaniel, and Craig Hughes. Drew McManigle was present via telephone. Members absent were: James Todd, Evelyn Dravis, James Collier. Present from the City were Dennis Holm, Chief Building Official and Susan Thorn, Building Secretary. Hearing of residents: None Present. Consideration of property located at 6435 Brompton, Lot 2, Block 19, West University Place First Addition, a request for a variance to build-out the third floor attic space. Dennis Holm, gave the City's point of view. Mr. Holm explained Streller Homes is requesting to finish out the third floor that on ~ the original plans showed type 5/8" type x sheetrock in the entire structure. Mr. Holm explained that the plans met all the requirements for a third floor. It was during the drywall inspection it was noted that 1/2" standard type gypsum sheeting. Mr. Holm explained that the applicant is asking for a variance on the type of sheetrock. Mr. Holm explained that the City is asking the Builder to meet the code requirements or provide an alternative that is approved by the Building and 5tandards Commiss ion . Mr. Holm explained that if the Building and Standards Commission does not grant the variance, he is asking for the third floor to be removed and in essence be thi~d floor storage space. Mr. Holm explained that the first and second floor do not meet the requirement for one hour protection for the entire structure. Steve Streller explained his request. Mr. Streller explained that the house is incorrectly sheetrocked and that it was an oversight on his part. Mr. Streller explained was his company is proposing to do is to go back in and re-sheetrock the third floor as per code requirement and sheetrock the exterior and the third floor stairwell. Mr. Streller explained that they would also eliminate the bathroom to make this into a game room or a study instead of living space. Additionally what they are proposing to do is to install five eighths sheetrock to the ceiling of the second floor and to install fire sprinkler to the third floor. Mr. Streller • explained that they would also add a fire door to the entrance of the third room floor as well as to the door to the stairwell. Mr. Streller explained that they already have all the proper windows ~ C • and doors for ingress and egress. ~~~~~ Mr. Holm explained that even with all these changes to the third floor with fire protection and sprinklers the first and second floor still do not meet the requirements. He explained that if you lose the first and second floor, you lose the third floor. Mr. Holm also explained that for some reason a framing inspection was never done by the City. He further explained that the first floor appears to have 2 x 6 walls, however, but he cannot prove that without taking the sheetrock off the walls. He explained that he spoke to another Building Official in another City that has the same types of structures, and that Building Official expressed the same concerns as Mr. Holm, and that is if you lose the first and second floor, you are going to lose the third floor. Mr. Holm explained that the framing inspection was turned down twice and never called in for a third inspection. Mr. Holm explained he spoke to Rubin the sheetrocker and Rubin told him that he never sees the plans he is just told to sheetrock. Mr. Streller ascertains that he feels he did receive the third inspection for framing, but he did not know what happened. Mr. Holm explained the reason that the first two inspections were turned down were because of header problems and other small • problems. He further explained that neither inspection report mentioned any problem with type of framing for a third floor. Roy Harper asked if any consideration had been given to having not only a having sprinkler system on the third floor, but also along the stairwell along the exit way as well. Craig DuCote stated that it was his contention that the Building and Standards Commission should rule on what is there, and not try to suggest what should be done to correct the problem. The other Board Members agreed with this statement. Les Albin stated that most of the fire protection items that had been discussed dealt with the third floor. He stated that that was not where the problem is, the problem is with the first and second floor. Mr. Albin explained that the Ashe Residence which had come before the Board had been built under a different administration and different requirements and the rules had changed. Mr. Albin explained that that was not the case with this house. The rules had been consistent throughout the construction of this house and there was an oversight made. He explained that they could listen to suggestions to how the Builder would make this a safer house, but he did not feel that the Builder had accomplished this yet. Mr. Holm explained that he stood by his original statement that the only way to make this structure safe for a third is to • entirely sheetrock the entire structure with one hour protection. Mr. Holm explained that he understood Steve Streller's position, but he stands by the requirements of code and the life safety ~ 1 ~~~~~ • issue. Les Albin expressed this concern that the Board is trying to figure what other alternatives would be acceptable for fire safety. Mr. Albin explained that none of the Board Members are experts on this. He stated that if the Fire Chief would want to give suggestions that would be fine. He did not see how the Board could grant the variance at this time. Mr. McManigle asked Mr. Streller since it looked like the Board was not going to grant the variance if he would like to withdraw his application until a later time to see if he could come up with some other alternatives he would be able to do so at this time. Craig DuCote stated that if this was not a spec home and the house were sold and the buyers were willing to take the risk it would be a different matter. Roy Harper explained that in West University Place people are transferred and two years later the home could be resold to an unsuspecting buyer who did not know what they were getting. Roy Harper made a motion to d y the variance. This motion was seconded by • ~~~ ~ t ~'j~, r1 • All voting aye. ~ Voting no. none. Craig Hughes made a motion to approve the minutes. This motion was seconded by Les Albin. All voting aye. Voting no. none. Roy Harper made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Les Albin seconded the motion. ~ All voting aye. Voting no. none. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. CHAIRMAN ~ LJ Attest: SECRETARY