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Home My WebLink About05071992 BSC Minutes, ~ . .. ~ ~ . • BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION REGULAR SESSION THUR5DAY, MAY 7, 1992 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. HOUSTON, TX 77005 6:30 P.M• The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Boulevard, in the City of West University Place, on May 7, 1992, for a Regular Session with the following members present: Nicholas Aschliman, Chairman, Drew McManigle, Craig DuCote, Susan Freeman, Margaret Wallis and Jeann Howse. Ed Beasley, entlfrom ~helCity.anAlsoSpresentnfrom1thencitycwasaChief were pres Terry Stevenson. HEARING OF RESIDENT5: None present DISCU55ION OF CHAPTER SIX: ~ Ed Beasley explained that the majority of problem issues have een • discussed concerning Chapter Six. He suggested one item that needs changing is the requirement for Worker's Compensation insurance. The State of Texas does not require plumbers or air conditioning contractors which are licensed by the State to carry Worker's Compensation insurance, therefore the City cannot require them to have it. Mr. Beasley explained that he has already discussed this with the City Attorney. The General Liability insurance should be sufficient to protect the Homeowner. Worker's Compensation only protects employees of a Contractor. Mr. Beasley suggested that the requirement for Worker's Compensation be deleted from Chapter Six. Mr. Beasley also explained that Section 6-22 (Term of Permit) of Chapter 5ix gives the term of a permit as 180 days. This needs to be changed to a year, as most houses take an average of nine months to complete. The added paperwork created by renewal of permits would be eliminated by this change. Mr. Beasley recommended adoption of the 1991 Building Code and Mechanical Code with changes. The only change to the 1991 Housing Code is that it now requires windows to have screens if there is no air conditioning and minimum kitchen facilities. Mr. Beasley recommended the adoption of the 1991 Housing code with no changes. Mr. Beasley explained that all of these changes including changes to fence, foundation and sidewalk & driveway ordinances will be put • together in a packet to submit to the City Attorney for him to review before submitting to City Council. ~ ~ ~ • DISCU5SION OF PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3816 BYRON: Chief Terry Stevenson explained that the owner of the property is Sarah Kelly who is approximately 80 years old. Complaints were received from neighbors regarding the condition of the yard, dogs, rats, etc. The city went in and cleaned it up and filed a lien against the property for that amount. The amount to clean up the property was approximately $200 to $300. Chief Stevenson explained that he has visited with Ms. Kelly when she has been in the hospital on several occasions so that he could speak to her on her own. A family (non-relatives) have moved into her house and have taken over. Mrs. Kelly was unable to stay by herself and her housekeeper moved in with her. Her housekeeper then moved in her family with them then moved out leaving her family behind. Correspondence was sent to Ms. Kelly regarding condition of garage. This has been no response to this correspondence. The City is asking for demolition of the garage. There is siding missing and the structure needs to be waterproofed. The structure could be repaired. Ms. Kelly says she doesn't have money for repairs. The City does not want to get into the repair of structures. There is a problem of the water heater being located in the garage and something could be worked out to move the water • heater and built a shelter around it. Chief Stevenson explained that structurally the house itself is okay. However the garage is both a structural and a health problem. Chief Stevenson also explained that another violation is that there is no driveway. Sharon Reusser with Senior Services had Mrs. Kelly's situation investigated. Mrs. Kelly has to file a complaint herself in order for any action to be taken. The family moved into Mrs. Kelly's house in February. 5o far no family of Mrs. Kelly has been located. Title Search will be done to try to locate any other owners. Chief Stevenson is requesting that an order from this Board notifying Mrs. Kelly that the problem be corrected with a period of time as she has been notified three times and the City has had no response. Susan Freeman made motion to put notice to the residents within 30 days, motion seconded by Craig DuCote. All voting aye. Voting No: none • , ~ ,. ~ ~ • ~J ~ DISCUSSION OF PROPERTY AT 4126 LEHIGH: Chief Stevenson submitted an update of status of hazardous and dangerous buildings. Mr. Beasley explained that the woman who owns the property at 4126 Lehigh is in bankruptcy and was attempting to have the property painted in order to lease out the property. The work was stopped and they were told they would have take out a permit to make structural repairs before the home could be occupied. Mr. Beasley explained that a permit has now been issued for the demolition of sheetrock in order for the City to determine how extensive the termite damage is at the property. Mr. Beasley and Chief Stevenson also updated the Board on several hazardous buildings etc. that will be looked into. One is located at 3716 Bellaire. There is also a fence that is falling down located on Albans which was supposedly damaged in the Sixties during Huzricane Carla. Another one on the list is a garage apartment behind the house in the 3100 block of Amherst, the second house from the corner of Buffalo Speedway. The garage is twisted and leaning and is propped up with 4 x 4's. Mr Beasley said that the electrical service from the garage to the house is also sagging. The owner has just been notified that this problem will have to be corrected. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Drew McManigle made motion to approve minutes from April 2, 1992., Motion seconded by Craig DuCote. All Voting Aye. Voting No: None ADJOURNMENT: Drew McManigle made motion to adjourn meeting, motion was seconded by Craig DuCote. Al1 Voting Aye. Voting No: None The meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m. At est: Secreta y r {~~%~ZiZi~G~ ~vL , ~~/~~7/G~~ C rman , „~ . . • ~~'1, • Changes to Chapter 6 Building, Mechanical & Housing Codes Section 6-2 (b) (3) Deleted and replaced by the following: Insurance Coverage. Registrants are required to have and maintain public liability insurance with a combined single limit per occurrence no less than three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000.00)(or with separate limits each no less than this amount), or limits as required by applicable state law. Section 6-3 (i) (2) Exceptions: C~ (amend as follows) a. (remains unchanged) b. New sidewalks shall be provided along all streets abutting the building site where sidewalks now exist or where new sidewalks exist along the same side of the s~reet in the same block. c. No sidewalk will be required if there are no sidewalks along the same side of the street in the same block as the new construction. d. No sidewalks will be required if there is no curb and gutter along the street and no sidewalks now exist along the same side of the street in the same block. (These requirements shall not limit the ability of City Council to order construction of sidewalks per Section 19-53.) Section 6-22 (a) Permits-Term; renewal (ADD) Residential & commercial 1 year following the (new construction) day of issuance Section 6-51 Adopted (amend as follows) The Standard Building code, 1991 edition of the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. ("building code") is hereby adopted ........... • . ~ • , . . • 5ection 6-52 (amend as follows) (1) (remains unchanged) (2) All foundations for new construction, and foundation repairs involving the installation of piers, shall be designed and inspected by a registered professional engineer. a. The foundation or foundation repair shall be illustrated in complete plans and specifications signed and sealed by the registered professional engineer. b. The foundation design for new construction shall be determined by a soils "SR" report prepared by a recognized and reputable soils investigation agency or firm. EXCEPTION: Foundations for single story accessory structures containing less than four hundred fifty (450) square feet of gross floor area. c. The foundation or foundation repair shall be inspected by the registered professional engineer and his report -. ~ certifying the proper construction shall be submitted to the Building Official prior to acceptance by the city. (3) (=emains unchanged) • (4) Paragraph 412.5.6 is adopted with the deletion of exception number 1. (5) Paragraph 1106.1.3 (relating to certain enclosed stairways for basements) is adopted with the deletion of the following phrase: "Except in one and two family dwellings,..." (6) Sections 101.4 (all subsections), 103 (all subsections) and 105 (all subsections) are not adopted. . (7) Appendices B, C, F, G, H, and J are not adopted; all other appendices are adopted. Section 6-71 Adopted (amend as follows) The Standard Mechanical Code, 1991 edition, of the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc is hereby adopted...... r~ U - .. ~ R y , . . u . ~ J • Section 6-72 EXCEPTIONS. (amend as follows) (1) The following is added to Section 304.4.1: = "There must be a permanently installed stairway, either. fixed or folding, to serve attic space where appliances or. equipment are located." (2) The following is added to Section 504.4: "A return air duct must be installed within ten (10) inches of the floor in all new residential construction and whenever possible in existing buildings." (3) Sections 101.4 (all subsections), 103 (all subsections) and 105 (all subsections) are not adopted. (4) Appendices are not adopted. Section 6-91 Adopted (amend as follows) The Standard Housing Code, 1991 edition, of the Southern ' Building Code Congress International, Inc., ("housing code") is hereby adopted........ Section 6-341 Maximum height (amend as follows);- (a) remains unchanged (b) remains unchanged (1) Closer than six feet from a wall of any principal building used as a single family residence adjacent to the fence line unless mutual written consent between owners of both properties adjacent to the fence line is submitted to the Building Department. (2) remains unchanged (c) Fence height shall be measured along each fence line from the adjacent property with the lowest existing grade. Section 6-344 Distance from property line (Delete entirely and replace with the following) (a) A fence shall be constructed immediately along the property line or as close as practicable to the property line. (b) Common fences may be constructed along the property line with written consent between owners of both properties adjacent to the fence line submitted to the Building Department. ~ •