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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03041996 BSC Minutes BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION • REGULAR SESSION CONFERENCE ROOM 3800 UNIVERSITY BLVD. THURSDAY, MARCH 7,1996 The Building and Standards Commission convened in the Municipal Building, 3800 University Blvd., in the City of West University Place, on March 7, 1996, for a Regular Session with the following regular members present: Craig Hughes, John McIntyre and James Todd. Also present were alternates James McDaniel and James Collier. Absent were Chairman Craig DuCote, Roy Harper, Drew McManigle and Evelyn Parks Dravis. Present from the City were Dennis Holm, Sr. Building Official and Susan Thorn, Building Secretary. The Board Members appointed Craig Hughes as Acting Chairperson to preside over the meeting. .HEARING OF RESIDENTS: None present. PUBLIC HEARING OF DOCKET N0.96-02. CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3722 NOTTINGHAM. LOT 16 & WEST 10 FEET OF LOT 17, BLOCK 2, SUNSET TERRACE, SECTION 2. Mr. Ross Davis, property owner of 3722 Nottingham was present to explain his request. Mr. Davis wished to construct a second addition to his house and receive a variance waiving the soils report requirement. Mr. Davis presented a summary of his request. A copy is included as part of these minutes. Mr. Davis said his technical background was as a geologist, however he did not have any specific experience with soils reports. He said he did know what type of information a soils report is supposed to provide and the bottom line in a soils report is standard with the exception of the information the core provides. James Collier asked what the estimated cost of the addition would be. Mr. Davis stated including some other renovations to the house, approximately $20,000. Mr. Davis explained an addition to his house was constructed in 1992 prior to the requirement for a soils report in Ordinance 1441 for any foundation addition to a main principal building and he planned a second addition of only 130 square feet. Mr. Davis stated he felt an exception should be made in this case and the requirement for a soils report is an error in the ordinance. Mr. Davis stated if a core was taken it would be between the first addition and where the • second addition would be made approximately five feet away. Regardless of what the core tells you would want to have the second addition with the first addition. Mr. Davis stated he looked a lot of the core reports in the neighborhood for four different houses and if you • look at the two issues, plasticity and stress the plasticity index is thirty and forty five in all cases..9 and 2.5. for the stress. Craig Hughes asked how far down the core samples were taken. Mr. Davis stated he was unable to get copies of the reports and did not know. Mr. Hughes then asked Mr. Davis if the original addition was tied into the main structure. Mr. Davis said yes it was. Mr. Hughes asked if the plans had been submitted to the City. Mr. Davis stated yes they were with a letter from his engineer stating a soils report would not be required if he (the engineer) was held harmless. Mr. McDaniel gave the requirements that would need to be met in order for the Board to issue a variance. Mr. Davis stated he was aware of the requirements, however in his opinion taking a core sample is totally without merit and in certain cases exceptions should be granted. He stated the regulations should be changed because the soils test requirement is unnecessary and costly to the homeowner. If the Building and Standards Commission cannot grant him an exception in this case he would take the matter to the City Council. Dennis Holm, Sr. gave the City's point of view. He stated Mr. Davis was correct in coming to the BSC asking for a change to be made, because the BSC can make recommendations to the City Council. Mr. Davis could also take the matter directly to City Council and then City Council can request the BSC to review the ordinance. Mr. Holm explained he had spoken to Jim Dougherty concerning this issue and the ordinance was passed in good faith and Mr. Holm as a Building Official was bound by this ordinance. Mr. Holm stated the way the change in the Ordinance requiring soils report is when the requirement for piers was taken out of the ordinance and replaced with the soils report requirement. Mr. Davis said there is noway to know if the core information obtained in soils report is needed or if it is valid information. James Collier stated disagreed with Mr. Davis. Mr. Collier explained when he was constructing a house a few years ago he had several test bores done and a portion of the house failed. In an area where a test bore was not taken it was later discovered there was an old water well. If they had known the water well was there the design for foundation in that location would have been different. Mr. Davis said the regulations for a soils report would not solve the problem. If you take random core samples and you believe the condition exists over the total area you would be wrong. In his situation five feet away from his existing structure After a brief discussion Jim Collier made a motion to deny the variance. James Todd • seconded the motion. .~ All in favor: Hughes, Todd, Collier, McIntyre, McDaniel Against: None Motion carried. PUBLIC HEARING OF DOCKET N0.96-O1, CONCERNING PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4126 LEHIGH, LOT 15, BLOCK 20 COLLEGE COURT ADDITION Dennis Holm, Chief Building Official explained Chief Terry Stevenson presence was needed at this meeting due to the fact this issue was before his (Mr. Holm's time) and Mr. Holm had been unable to reach Chief Stevenson he asked if the hearing could be postponed. After a brief discussion a motion was made by James Collier to table the hearing until Chief Stevenson could be presence. This motion was seconded by James Todd. All voting aye: Hughes, Todd, McIntyre, McDaniel, Collier Against: • None Motion carried. DISCUSSION OF PARABOLIC OR SATELLITE DISHES: Building Official Dennis Holm explained he had been approached by various residents concerning the new 18" satellite dishes. There is no provision in the present ordinance. He asked the Board Members to review the ordinance concerning the location of the satellite dishes. John McIntyre stated he would bring to the next Building and Standards Commission meeting some specifications concerning the 18" dishes. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: James McDaniel made a motion to approve the minutes from the last meeting. James Collier seconded the motion. All voting aye. Against: none ~ ,s'+ The motion carried. ADJOURNMENT James McDaniel made a motion to adjourn the meeting. This motion was seconded by James Collier. All voting aye. Against: none The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. f.