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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12062001 BSC Minutes• ® Recycled Paper City of west University P1aee A Neighborhood Ci BUILD~NG & STANDARDS COMMISSION Bill Watson Conference Room, Municipal Building 3800 University Blvd, Houston, Texas 77005 MEETING MINUTES December 6, 2001 6:00 p.m. I. MEMBERS PRESENT: James McDaniel, James Collier, David Kehn, Les Albin, Darryl Friday, Patrick O'Donnell, Jorge-Jimenez-Marcos (arrived at 6:10 p.m. on agenda item #6), and Muddy McDaniel (voting) II. MEMBERS ABSENT: Bryant Slimp and Council Liaison: Bill May III. STAFF PRESENT: Dennis Mack, Neslihan Tesno and Sallye A. Clark Agenda Item Discussion Action 1. Call to Order. None. James McDaniel called the meeting to order at 6:05 .m. 2. Citizens who wish to be None. None. heard. Citizens who wish to None. None. address agenda items. 4. Designation of voting None. James McDaniel stated per the alternate voting members. schedule that Muddy Mc Daniel is the voting member for the meeting as Jorge Jimenez- Marcos is not present. 5. Approval of Minutes. The minutes of the October 4, 2001 meeting. Les Albin moved to approve the minutes from the October 4, 2001 meeting as amended. Muddy McDaniel 2nd. Ayes: James McDaniel, James Collier, David Kehn, Les Albin, and Muddy McDaniel. Motion passed. Minutes approved. 6. Zoning and Planning Charles Nelson, Zoning and Planning Presiding No action was taken. Presentation. Officer gave an overview of the list of Goals and Objectives for the Zoning and Planning Commission for the current term. The following are the topics in the order as they were discussed: Lighting Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, Drainage/site Plan, Visibility Triangle, 80% Framed Area, City Property, Sidewalks and curb cuts, Historical stock, Comprehensive Plan Kirby Corridor, Chapter 20 Subdivision, Enforcement of Existing Ordinances, Prior Non-Conforming status of Existing Ordinances and Landscaping Entranceways into West University Place. Charles Nelson requested that the Building Standards Commission look at the list of topics and choose some they are interested in and sign up as liaisons of the BSC to work in conjunction 3800 University Boulevard • West University Place, Texas 77005-2899 • 713.668.4441 • www.westu.org Building Standards Commission Meeting Minutes • Page 2 with the Zoning and Planning Commission and attend the meetings. He explained that the meetings that take place for the various subcommittees for these topics are not held the same night as the regular Zoning and Planning Commission meeting. Charles stated that he would get with Jim McDaniel later to find out who would like to be on subcommittees. He also stated that it was acceptable for BSC members to sign up for topics that were not overlapping topics in conjunction with Building and Standard Commission goals and objectives. Jim McDaniel asked that the Building and Standards Commission members look over the list and be ready to sign up for topics they have interest in at the next re lar meetin . 7. Appeal Hearing. Call to Jim McDaniel called the appeal hearing to order order @ 6:42 p.m. 7. Appeal Hearing. Matters Jim McDaniel identified the parties involved and Jim McDaniel, Chairman administered the oath Cont'd relating to an appeal hearing they are as follows: Sigmund Horvitz, 3734 to all parties involved and witnesses. of a formal decision made Sunset, David Marks, 3737 Albans, Dennis by the Building Official Mack, Chief Building Official and a witness, about the swimming pool Mrs. Horvitz, 3734 Sunset. waste water system at 3737 Mr. Sigmund Horvitz, applicant and resident at Albans Street. 3734 Sunset gave a presentation, reading the Adjournment. ordinance that is involved with this matter which he stated was in Chapter 6, Buildings and Development, Subchapter H., Swimming Pools, Section 6.564 Plumbing Matters (b) Wastewater shall be discharged to a storm sewer when such is available. If none is available, special permission is required to discharge into the sanitary sewer. Where space and conditions are such that no hazard, nuisance or unsanitary conditions may occur, swimming pool wastewater may be used for irrigation or subsurface spreading. In all cases, sufficient area shall be provided on the premises for the subsequent installation of disposal facilities. No other method shall be used unless specifically approved by the Building Official. Mr. Horvitz 'x ' Building Standards Commission Meeting Minutes • Page 3 stated that he felt the important word was "may." and that he has submitted documentation that he feels shows that hazard, nuisance or unsanitary conditions may occur, if the homeowner at 3737 Albans is permitted to continue with the arrangements he has made for discharging his wastewater from his swimming pool. He is . asking that the ChiefBuilding Official's decision to be repealed. David Marks, 3737 Albans stated that he faxed over to Ms. Clark today a memo that outlines the facts. The plans were approved by the City in 1996, passed all inspections, a Certificate of Occupancy was issued in March, and he has been operating it as a discharge for backwashing the filter. It spreads the water on the ground, and irrigates the foundation. Mr. Marks assumes the system was set up that way, as it was the requirements of the City. He did not design or build the system and the only instance that he was ever concerned was during Tropical Storm Allison. Mr. Marks was concerned that there was no more holding capacity in the pool so he ran about an inch of water out of the pool so that it would not overflow. The water flowed towards Sunset, down the side of his yard and Mr. Horvitz's driveway due to the ground being so saturated from the rain. Any other time the water is discharged, it is saturated into the ground. Mr. Marks stated he spent approximately fifty dollars buying fittings and flexible pipe so that when the backwash is done it will distribute the water over a wider area in his own yard. Dennis Mack, Chief Building Official passed out a copy of the "Management Practices for the disposal of chlorinated water from swimming pools and hot tubs." Mr. Mack stated that he had an inspector to investigate the property in question by the request of Sigmund Horvitz who filed a formal complaint. After the investigation, Dennis Mack completed a formal decision that the waste water system installed at 3737 Albans was in accordance and compliance with Chapter 6, Section 6.564 and was approved. Mrs. Horvitz, at 3734 stated that she was a witness to the day of the storm that the water was discharged and it was a tremendous gush of water into the side of her garage as high as the garage. She would like to see that something be attached to this pipe so that it can be directed to • Building Standards Commission Meeting Minutes Page 4 discharge towards Albans and not in her yard. Mr. Horvitz gave a final statement that he was told by an inspector that the City approved a Swale that ran around the pool house and that over time the Swale has filled in and no longer performs it's functions. 1VIr. Horvitz feels that the swale should be redone, but does not feel that it will Help with the flooding of his yard due to the water coming out with such force. Jim McDaniel called the evidentiary portion of the hearing closed at 7:10 p.m. It was decided by the Commission that deliberation would take place now and decide what to do. Les Albin tried to make clear that the current condition, that there is an attachment and a hose that is used to direct the flow of water on to the property at 3737 Albans where the pool is located and not that of the neighbors property at 3734 Sunset. In addition, it was stated by Patrick O'Donnell that Mr. Marks has agreed to attach the valve manually to direct the flow of water into his own yard and this complies with the Building Official requirements. Les Albin stated that ifMr. Marks fails to do what he has agreed to do that he could be subject to a lawsuit by his neighbor, but that is a Civil matter and the City has no involvement in that. At 7:25 p.m. after deliberation by the Building Standards Commission, Jim McDaniel stated that no motion was made to repeal the decision of the Building Official, therefore deliberation was closed and the Commission moved on to the next agenda item. 8. Matters relating to the Dennis Mack, Chief Building Official gave a No action taken. review and discussion of brief overview of Senate Bill 5 and asked the Senate Bill 5 and how it Building and Standards Commission if they are could affect the City of interested in doing an energy audit and to make a West University Place recommendation to City Council of City Owned facilities. Jim McDaniel suggested that the BSC members take the information home and to talk to Dennis Mack about and come back at a later meetin with a decision. 9. Matters relating to the Dennis Mack, Chief Building Official gave a Les Albin moved to approve the proposed review and possible brief overview of the proposed amendment if amendment as proposed by the Building proposed amendment to passed would automatically adopt the Official. David Kehn 2nd. Ayes: James Section RN101.2.1 International Energy Conservation Code. McDaniel, James Collier, David Kehn, Les "Residential buildings, Albin, and Muddy McDaniel. Motion passed. Type A-1 of the International Residential .,. Building Standards Commission Meeting Minutes • Page 5 10. Staff Comments. None None. 11. Commission Member Jorge Jimenez- Marcos stated that he sent an None. Comments email to the National Pool Association about setbacks and would be glad to show the response he got back to any one if they would like to see it. Darryl Friday requested to~form a subcommittee to look at swimming pool drainage and discharge problems and discussion of swimming pools. Jim McDaniel asked if anyone had a desire to Vice- Chair. Darryl Friday stated that he would like to volunteer. Mr. McDaniel stated that Danyl Friday would be appointed the Vice Chair. 12. Adjournment. Les Albin moved to adjourn. David Kehn seconded the motion. Ayes: James McDaniel, James Collier, David Kehn, Les Albin, and Muddy McDaniel. Motion passed. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m. • PASSED AND APPROVED THIS DAY OF~~~ , a anie , airman •