HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Building Code Board Of Appeals - 01/16/2014 REGULAR MEETING
Building Code Boar q of Appeals
Thursday, Januarf 16,2014
MINUTES
L Call to Order
1:35p.m.
11. Roll Call
Present: Debbie Schibi, John Kendall, Ray Jones, Rand),Farrar and Chuck Anastos
Absent.- Vincent Doyle and Ricardo Martinez
Staff:John Speights, Susan Manna, Yvette Francis, Jesse Hernandez and Tanya Rojas
111. Approval of Absences: August 15, 2013,Regular Meeting
Rarq),Farrar made a motion to approve the absences. Chuck Anastos second that motion. The
motion carried 5-0.
IV. Approval of Minutes: August 15, 2013 Regular Meeting
Jeri Morey addressed the Board and stated that her name was misspelled in the minutes. Ray
Jones made a motion to approve the minutes with the correction in spelling and Chuck Anastos
second the motion. .Motion carried 5-0
V. Discussion and possible action regarding election of a Chairperson and Vice chairperson
Ray Jones made a motion to elect Ricardo Martinez as Chairperson John Kendallsecond that
motion. The motion carried 5-0
John Kendall made a motion to elect Chuck Anastos as Vice Chairperson. Ray Jones second that
motion. The motion carried 5-0
VI. Discussion and possible action regarding a variance to waive windstorm requirements for a
proposed modular buildings. (Project: Avalon Corpus Cbristi; Location: 1515 N. Tancahua-,
Requestor: Ramiro Munoz,III,PE,MLSE)
Ramiro Munoz spoke on behalf ofAvalon, Mr. Munoz stated that this project was underway when
TDI changed the rules for tie downs,,foundations and inspection of modular buildings, Mr.
Munoz was informed by City Staff that TDI rules would be enforced and that a variance would
have to be approved by the Board to allow for it. Mr. Munoz stated that the client will be
providing a third party insurance and not seeking TWIA insurance. Mr. Farrar asked if the way
the building is tied down now would have met the requirements before TDI made the change. Mr.
Munoz stated that the tie down method would have been approved before the rule change,
Debbie Schibi wanted to know what the response from TDI was in regards to starting the project
bqlbre the rule change, Mr. Munoz said that TDI and TWIA said that the rules will be enforced
from the day the rules started. Mr.Anastos wanted to know if the building permit had been
submitted prior to the changes. Staff stated that the permit was in house, but not approved at that
time, but that they were also in the process of.platting and rezoning the property. Mr. Munoz
started this project with a WP-I and then was told TDI would no longer allow for it. Mr. Speights
stated that Staff is recommending this variance and also looking at amending the Code language
to allow for sel(-insurance in lieu of windstorm insurance,,
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Randy Farrar made a motion to waive the requirement and require a copy of the windst-fww"
insurance to before the Certrficate of Occupancy. Ray Jones second the motion. The motion
carried 5-0.
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VII. Discussion and possible action regarding reducing the fee for OCL house moving permits.
(Requestor: William I Bell)
The Board heard from Mr. Bell regarding the cost to move a home outside of the iiy limits and
the cost of the permits associated with it. r. ell explained that he is trying to move unsightly
structures out of City and the costs associated with it is very costly. Mr. Bell explained that
the cost of a permit to demolish a home is around$100 and the cost to move a home OCL is
around$900.00. 1
Chuck Anastos made a motion to table this and have Staff to look at the associated permit costs
for OCL and bring proposed permit costs back for review possibly lowering the permit costs from
$900.00 to around$200.00. John Kendall second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
VIII. Building Official's Report
A. Department Updates
Mr. Speights provided a department and staffing recap.
B. Permit recap 2012-2013
Mr. Speights gave a permit recap for the previous 12 months.
IX. Discussion and possible action regarding an amendment to Chapter 14,Article XIII of the Code
of Ordinances pertaining to Development Services Fees
Susan Manna gave a presentation to the Board regarding proposed fee amendments. Mrs. Manna
explained that most of the amendments were more for housecleaning and removing fees and
language that are no longer used In addition, Mrs. Manna stated that she will look at separating
OCL and ICL house moving permits. Mrs. Jones explained that in 2010 the commercial building
permits went up substantially and he wanted to know ifprojects in the future would be valued as
a project as whole or by individual buildings to keep it below the$5,000,000.00 dollar mark. Mr.
Anastos wanted to know why would be penalizing the large projects by using a sliding scale. Mr.
Jones feels that we would be increasing fees by reducing the sliding scale.
Mrs. Manna also explained that Staffwould be looking at removing the penalty fees from the
ordinance to help encourage residents that are working without a permit to obtain a permit.
Yvette Francis explained that we are looking at removing this$450.00 penalty since Code
Enforcement is already citing the property owner for work without Permit if found to be in
violation.
Randy Farrar made a motion to recommend the proposed fee changes with the exception of
revisiting the sliding scale and reducing the OCL house moving permits to$ 100—no more than
$200.00. Ray Jones second the motion to recommend. The motion carried 5-0.
X. Public Comments
Jeri Morey wanted to offer information in regards to TDI. In speaking with TDI she found out
that mobile homes do not fall under the TDI requirement.
XL Identify items to be placed on next agenda
No items to be placed on the next agenda.
XIL Adjourn
3:25p.m.
Presiding Officer
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