Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/09/1995 - Regular Minutes - Construction Board of Adjustments MINUTES CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS Thursday,March 9, 1995 6:30 P.M. Training Room MEMBERS PRESENT: Wick McKean,Paul Swoboda,Jean Bailey,Bill Lewis,James Holster and Tom Wilson. MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairperson Dan Sears and Danny Sustaire. STAFF PRESENT: Building Official David J.Moore,and Building Technician Barbara P. DeWeese. AGENDA ITEM NO. 1: Call meeting to order. The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairperson Wick McKean. AGENDA ITEM NO.2: Hear visitors. There were no visitors requesting to be heard. AGENDA ITEM NO.3: Approve minutes from Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals Meeting on Thursday,January 26, 1995. Tom Wilson moved that the minutes be approved. Motion was seconded by Jean Bailey. Motion passes 6-0. AGENDA ITEM NO.4: Public hearing for the consideration of a variance request to have one stall only in the women's bathroom at 103 University Drive. The applicant and sub-leasee is Conventry Glen Realty; 1021 University Drive,College Station,Texas 77840,(409)846-2894. The owner is Alfred Lehtonen,700 Dominik,College Station,Texas 77840,(409) 693-7656. Chief Building Official gave the staff report on the variance request. The plans were subnutted to the Building office on December 16, 1994,the plan review was completed on December 19, 1994. The applicant was advised on December 19, 1994,of the minimum requirements per the Standard Building Code. Based on the Standard Plumbing Code occupancy content requirement under Section 9.22, Required Minimum Facilities,we give every deduction we can before we allocate for the facilities occupant load. The gross Occupancy Load is 29,and after deductions it is 21,and the sanitary minimum requirements still requires 1 male water closet,and 2 female water closets. Discussion was held regarding how the application for a permit for renovation affords the City the opportunity to bring buildings up to Code and to enforce the ADA,Handicap Accessibility Laws. CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS Thursday, March 9, 1995 Minutes Page Two Board Member Tom Wilson excluded himself from participating in Variance Request 95-004 because of his business association with the applicant. Acting-Chairperson Wick McKean opened the meeting to the public for anyone that would like to speak against the variance request No one requested to speak. Mike Caldwell spoke on behalf of granting the variance request. Mr. Caldwell stated that because of the amount of money expended to bring the building to a office structure,that it would take excessive money to change the building to a cubicle environment. Mr.Caldwell said in order to comply with the minimum requirements he would loose storage space which is important to him. Discussion was held between the Board and Mr.Caldwell,with questions being asked and answered. It was concluded that bringing the building into compliance with the Standard Plumbing Code is the Boards main objective,there are no guarantees that Coventry Glen Realty will be in the building five years from now,and the occupancy density may change to an all woman environment and then the minimum sanitary requirements would make a difference. Joy Caldwell then spoke on behalf of the variance request. She referred to a variance that was approved approximately one year ago for Lentex,Inc.,on Eastmark,Suite 101,with a occupancy load of 2300 to 2400 sq. fi.. Lentex had the same problem as this variance request as there was no room to expand the restroom to comply with minimum plumbing codes. In that case the bathrooms had enough room to comply with the ADA,and they placed locks on the doors for privacy. There are 35 employees that are based there everyday,and to this date the restrooms have been sufficient. Ms. Caldwell also noted that in regards to ADA in the time since they complied with the Federal Laws they have only had one person in a wheel chair enter the business. Ms. Caldwell felt that Coventry Glen Realty had less employees therefore two restrooms should be adequate. Mitchek Smith,the General Contractor for Coventry Glen Realty also spoke for the variance request. He explained the additional construction needed if the second water closet was mandated.. Paul Swoboda made a motion to deny the variance request based on the fact that no reason had been given to justify the variance,and the Standard Plumbing Code should be complied with. Jean Bailey seconded, and the motion passed 3-2,Tom Wilson abstaining. CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS Thursday, March 9, 1995 Minutes Page Three AGENDA ITEM NO. 5: Public hearing for the consideration of a variance request to allow usage of Flowguard Gold CPVC at the Jefferson at Waterford Apartment Complex,2250 Dartmouth Avenue,College Station, Texas. The applicant is John Tookman at B.F. Goodrich, 4603 Cypresswood Drive, Suite S22, Spring,Texas 77379, (713)376-7664, on behalf of JPI Construction,600 East Los Colinas, Suite 1800, Irving,Texas, 75039,(214)556-3886. Building Official David J.Moore presented the staff report to the Board. An explanation of the Codes was given along with a clarification of our local Amendments. The Standard Plumbing Code does allow the usage of CPVC. A similar request had been made last August and the Board had requested Mr. Moore to poll other agencies and cities and ascertain if there was a problem with using CPVC in building, Mr. Moore had contacted Administrators in Austin,and even though Mr. Moore did not want to give an opinion one way or another,Austin was very positive about its usage. SBCCI could not understand why the City of College Station was not allowing it usage. SBCCI felt that it was a viable material and was being used effectively throughout the State. Installation is a key part of its usage. The Board expressed concerns regarding using the CPVC in or under the slabs. Mr.Moore clarified that this variance request is for above the slab usage only. Discussion regarding the fusion of joints in the CPVC,wherein the bond that occurs in the joint makes the bond as strong,if not stronger than the CPVC pipe itself John Tookman,of B.F. Goodrich talked on behalf of the variance request, he showed samples of CPVC at stages of exposure to water and the comparison between the CPVC and the copper pipe. He showed a pipe that was 35 years old and pointed out how there was no corrosion even though the CPVC had been in use for so many year. Mr.Tookman explained the elements of CPVC and why it was less costly to produce as compared to copper. He then showed the process for installation of joints and showed the board the simplicity of the process. He showed an example of a joint that had been bonded and the fusion that occurred. Mr. Tookman also provided a booklet for presentation which gave technical and product information. Schooling is provided for contractors to facilitate the proper installation procedure and to certify them for installation. In conclusion Mr. Tookman answered questions for the Board. The Board discussed the product and usage throughout the State. Pros and cons were discussed and the importance of only using CPVC above the slab. James Holster made a motion to grant the variance because it complies with the Standard Plumbing Codes and its been accepted by all the major cities in Texas. Seconded by Paul Swoboda,and the Board concurred unanimously.6-0 AGENDA ITEM NO.6: Other Business. There was no other business. CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS ANT)APPEALS Thursday, March 9, 1995 Minutes Page Four AGENDA ITEM NO. 7: Adjourn. Wick McKean moved to adjourn,Jean Bailey seconded the motion,which carried unopposed(6-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. APPROVED. Chairperson Dan Sears A HEST: Barbara P.DeWeese,Building Technician