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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 01-12-2010 BUILDING CODE TASK FORCE MINUTES CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO January 12, 2010 Mayor DiTullio called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Task Force Members present: Davis B. Reinhart, Dean Gokey, Lou Ficco, Ted Terranova, Steve Thomas, Kelly Brooks, John Marriott and Steve Steigleder, Deputy Fire Marshal, Arvada, representing Sparky Shriver, Arvada Fire Marshal. Also present: Community Development Director, Ken Johnstone; and Janice Smothers, Administrative Assistant. Introductions Mayor DiTullio outlined the Motion passed by City Council creating the Task Force to review the building code changes that are being proposed by the City’s Building Department. Task Force member introductions: Davis B. Reinhart, Council Member, District I/Mayor pro tem Dean Gokey, Contractor/Former Wheat Ridge Council Member Lou Ficco, Wheat Ridge Builder/Property Owner Ted Terranova, Owner-Aaark Heating/Former Arvada Council Member Kelly Brooks, Fire Marshal-Wheat Ridge Fire Department Steve Steigleder, Deputy Fire Marshal, representing Sparky Shriver, Fire Marshal-Arvada Fire District John Marriott, Chair-Wheat Ridge Business District/Wheat Ridge Business Owner Steve Thomas, President, Colorado Code Consulting, LLC City Staff: Community Development Director, Ken Johnstone. Discussion on Issues Document from Steve Thomas 1. Planning Permit Discussion was held on the need for planning permits. Vote on Options: Maintain the existing proposed policy regarding planning permits. 1 in favor Eliminate requirement for planning permits and transfer enforcement over on a complaint basis or observation by code enforcement personnel. 6 in favor Eliminate fee for permit. 1 in favor 2. Need for Siding Permits Discussion on Siding Permits was held. Vote on Options: Maintain current code requirements 8 in favor but with the added Option 3 Amend the code to exempt the repair from needing a permit Code Amendment: A permit is not required if 35% or less of siding maintenance/repair of similar material (without gas or electrical) 5 in favor. Need for window replacement permits The various options were discussed. Vote on Options: Maintain current code requirement and require permits for window replacements. 0 in favor Create a written policy or code amendment that outlines the requirements for when window replacement permits are required. 3 in favor Window size permitted to be the same as originally present Window size permitted to be smaller if current natural light, ventilation and egress requirement are complied with Window must comply with Energy Code requirements for U-Factor. 3) Amend the code to exempt window replacements from requiring a permit as long as the size does not change. 5 in favor Provide options to address number of toilet facilities needed in a commercial use provided with a single toilet room Options were discussed. Vote on Options: 1) Maintain the current code requirements regarding the minimum separate sex toilet facilities. 2) Amend the code to increase the number of occupants needed before separate sex toilet facilities are required as described in Table 403.1; 8 in favor 5. Need for ice & water shield roof underlayment requirements in Wheat Ridge. Discussion was held. Vote on Options: Maintain current code requirement to require the ice-barrier, with clarifying language. 8 in favor Amend the code to not require the ice barrier. 6. Department policy for multiple inspections of roof replacement installations Discussion was held. Vote on Options: Maintain the current policy for multiple roof inspections. 1 in favor Revise the policy to only require a final inspection of the roof system. 7 in favor Egress window requirements for window replacements Discussion was held. Vote on Options: Maintain the current policy regarding egress window installations. (Codify) 8 in favor Revise the code to limit where egress windows are required for existing construction. Furnace efficiency requirements Discussion was held. Vote on Options: Maintain the current policy that high-efficiency appliances are not required. 8 in favor Require high efficiency appliances. Inspection requirements for existing multi-family dwelling buildings Discussion was held. Continue the suspension and discuss in detail at a later date. Vote on Options: Maintain the complaint based program now being used. Develop a program that addresses the owners concerns about increased costs and invasion into their business by the City Develop a rental license program to ensure rental units are inspected and maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. Develop an inspection program where the common areas and exteriors of a building are inspected and the inspectors can then make a decision that the interior of the buildings need to be inspected based on the condition of those areas. Fee schedule for inspections of multi-family dwelling buildings Discussion was held. Decision was made to discuss in detail at a later date. Options: Continue current policy of doing inspections without fees. Charge all rental property owners a fee to fund the housing inspection program. Develop a fee schedule that creates an incentive to the property owners to have their buildings in compliance with the codes at the time of the inspections. Contractor licensing requirements for multi-family building owners. Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current requirement that only licensed contractors can conduct work requiring a building permit. 2 in favor Amend the contractor license regulation to allow owners to do work on their buildings up to a specific limit per year. This would allow them to do minor projects without having to either get licensed or hire a licensed contractor. 1 in favor Amend the contractor license regulation to allow owners to do any amount of work on their buildings without having to be licensed or hire a contractor. 5 in favor Contractor license insurance requirements Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current insurance requirements for contractors. 3 in favor Amend the contractor license regulations to eliminate the requirement for insurance. 5 in favor Increase the limits for the employer’s liability insurance and/or require additional liability insurance. Compare proposed fee schedule to previous building division assessment fee. Discussion was held, Ken handed out Attachment 1 2006 Building Permit Fees Vote on Options: Adopt the proposed fee schedule for permits and plan reviews 8 in favor Develop a different fee schedule for permits and plan reviews. Mr. Gokey left the meeting. Fee schedule for flood plains. Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current fee schedule for reviewing flood plain permits. Revise the fee schedule to reflect the time needed for reviewing flood plain permits with a cap of $300.00 for special exceptions for structures of nonhuman occupancy and $840.00 for structures that include human occupancy. 7 in favor 3) Eliminate the fee for flood plain reviews. Stop work order policy Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current policy regarding stop work orders Develop a written policy regarding the issuance of stop work orders. 7 in favor Revise the stop work policy to a zero-tolerance policy where stop work orders are issued without a chance to rectify the issue and at the inspector’s discretion. Code diagrams and handouts Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current building guides. 7 in favor Provide a link on the City website to the CCICC page to download the handouts. 7 in favor Develop additional handouts to be distributed by the building division. Revenue generating aspect of building division Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the proposed permit fee (Attachment 1-2006 Table 1-A) schedule 7 in favor Revise the permit fee schedule to reduce the amount of revenue generated by the department. Department policy regarding ladders for roof replacement inspections. Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain policy that the contractor must provide a ladder and consider call- ahead program for roof inspections 6 in favor Purchase ladders and associated vehicle brackets to support them for each inspector. 1 in favor Ventilation requirements in the International Mechanical Code. Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the proposed ventilation rates in the 2006 IMC Amend the 2006 IMC to include the ventilation rates of the 2009 IMC. 7 in favor Policy and difference in general permits vs. Specific trade permits. Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current general permit policy. 7 in favor Implement a multiple permit system where each subcontractor must pull a separate permit on each project. Department policy regarding changes to plans Discussion was held Vote on Options: Maintain the current policy regarding changes to approved drawings. Develop a written policy regarding changes to approved drawings. 7 in favor (Major vs. Minor) Amend the codes to not require amended plans to be resubmitted. Next Steps/Next Meeting Steve Thomas will prepare the Task Force recommendations in written form and forward to the Mayor. The Mayor invited the Task Force to the Study Session on March 1, 2010. Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Janice Smothers, Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and City Council