HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Building Code Board Of Appeals - 04/19/2012Minutes of the Building Code Board of Appeals
Regular Meeting
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Time: 1:30 p.m.
2406 Leopard ❖ Corpus Christi, Texas 78405
Development Services
3� Floor, Fire Department's Training Room
I. "Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 1:35 p.m.
II. Roll Call
Board members present: John Dykema, Chris Hamilton, John Kendall, Mike Lippincott, Ricardo
Martinez
Staff present, Mark Van Vleck, Steve Van Patten, Elizabeth Hundley, and Elsa Martinez
III. Approval of Minutes:
September 21, 2011, Special Meeting
Mr. Lippincott motioned to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2011, as presented; the motion
was seconded by Mr. Kendall. The motion carried 4 -0.
IV, Review, Discuss, and Acton Candidates' Resumes for Board Vacancy and Provide Recommendation
for Submission to City Council to Fill Vacancies [Section 14 -206 (a) (2) (a)]
A. Building Industry, At -Large (one position)
B. Non - building Industry (one position)
After consideration of the applicants' biographies, Mr. Hamilton made a motion to recommend Ms.
Debbie Ehlen for the building industry board position to City Council. The motion was seconded by
Mr. Lippincott. The motion carried 4 -0.
Mr. John Kendall made a motion to recommend Gene Clancy for the non - building industry board
position to City Council. The motion was seconded by Mr. Hamilton. The motion carried 4 -0.
V. Discussion and Possible Action on Appeals of Code Variances
Mr. Van Vleck addressed the board regarding the process for local amendments. He informed that
there is currently no process defined on how to request a change to code; and secondly, getting it
vetted and ultimately presented to City council. Mr. Van Vleck informed that staff is working in
preparing a process to include research, a comparison and contract with what other jurisdictions are
doing or have done. Mr. Van Vleck informed that the process would include this board's
recommendation when the request proceeds to City council for a change to code or an amendment
and explained that the decision - makers for a code change would be City council. He informed the
board that staff would return a draft of the defined process once staff has shared it with the building
community for the board's recommendation.
VI. Discussion on Fire - Resistant Construction: Exterior Walls, Projections, Minimum Fire - Resistant
Ratings and Minimum Fire - Separation Distance
Mr. Van Patten presented on this item, providing board members with a copies of Section R302, Fire -
Resistant Construction, and Table R302.1of the residential code and explaining the building
industries' concern regarding meeting the proper ventilation requirement put into effect in the 2009
code for minimum fare separation distance projections. Mr. Van Vleck informed that this may be one
of the first code amendments necessary to be taken to City Council.
Minutes of the Building Code Board of Appeals
Regular Meeting
Thursday, April 19, 2012
VII. Discussion on the Green Building Codes in Alignment with the City's Bold Future Initiative
Mr. Van Patten informed that although City staff supports incorporating the green codes into the
technical construction codes, staff recommends that the review of the green codes take effect when
staff and board begin review of the 2012 code cycle.
VIII. Building Official's Report
A. Department Updates
B. Staffing
Mr. Van Vleck introduced himself to the board informing he is a former civil engineer core officer of
the Navy Armed Forces and provided a brief overview of his responsibilities in that capacity. He
informed that he believes the building official position should be separate from that of the director to
allow the director to provide the adequate department oversight, while the building official performs
appropriate job functions in said capacity. Mr. Van Vleck informed he will stay a minimum of six
months, He added that the department currently has one plumbing inspector vacancy that it. seeks to
fill.
IX. Public Comments
Board members may not deliberate or make a decision on any matter presented at this time, The Open
Meetings Act limits Board response to only two options: 1) a statement of specific factual information
given in response to an inquiry; or 2) a recitation of existing policy in response to the inquiry. Any
deliberation of or decision about the subject shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on the
agenda for a subsequent meeting.
Mr. John Kendall addressed the board presenting a handout titled, "Proposed Alternate Method to
Section 903.2.1.2 Group A -2. He informed the board he feels this section of the code warrants an
amendment due to the requirement of an automatic sprinkler system where the fire area has an
occupancy load of 100 or more.
Mr. Van. Vleck responded to Mr. Kendall informing that a request for variance from code is
appropriate on a case -by -case basis for construction projects, and that staff welcomes the opportunity
to review his specific request through the administrative process. Mr. Van Vleck informed that items
requiring the board's review for change to code or to allow a code variance would be addressed
through the proper process only after the building official and staff have been allowed to provide an
administrative review of the request, Mr. Van Vleck informed he would review Mr. Kendall's request
and provide a staff report.
X. Identify items to be placed on next agenda
Proposed amendments to technical codes when drafted
XI. Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned.
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1?resi i Officer