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Home My WebLink About03/22/2022 - Regular Minutes - Construction Board of AdjustmentsMarch 22, 2022 Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals Meeting Minutes Page 1 of 4 MINUTES CONSTRUCTION BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS March 22, 2022 6:00 p.m. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Cynthia Giedraitis, Board Members Joe Fix, Tiona Broussard, Crystal Evans, Jared Walther, and Roger Winckler COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilmember Linda Harvell CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director of Planning & Development Services Michael Ostrowski, Building Official Brian Binford, Plans Examiners Benjamin McCarty, Tyler Haney and Bryce Trujillo, City Attorney Adam Falco, and Administrative Support Specialist Kristen Hejny 1. Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Consider Absence Request. Chairperson Giedraitis called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. Hear Visitors No visitors spoke. 3. Agenda Items 3.1 Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes. • January 23, 2019 Board Member Winckler motioned to approve the minutes, Board Member Broussard seconded the motion, motion passed 5-0. Chairperson Giedraitis opened all items for discussion. Board Member Fix arrived at 6:02 p.m. Building Official Binford presented agenda items 3.2 - 3.9 to the Board recommending approval. 3.2 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and related amendments. 3.3 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) and related amendments. March 22, 2022 Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals Meeting Minutes Page 2 of 4 3.4 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Plumbing Code (IPC) and related amendments. 3.5 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC) and related amendments. 3.6 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) and related amendments. 3.7 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and related amendments. 3.8 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and related amendments. 3.9 Public Hearing, presentation, discussion, and possible action on a recommendation to City Council regarding the adoption of the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC) and related amendments. Board Member Fix asked for clarification on exterior lighting controls and whether they need to be on a timer. Building Official Binford stated that exterior lighting must be controlled by a manual on/off switch that permits automatic shut-off actions. Mr. Binford also clarified that lights should be automatically shut-off when daylight needs are met, and lighting overrides must reset after 24 hours. Chairperson Giedraitis asked for a cost estimate on energy and electric changes required. Building Official Binford clarified that with the insulation increase to R49, there will be an approximate $0.20 - $0.25 price increase per square foot. Chairperson Giedraitis asked if exterior disconnects can be locked. Building Official Binford stated that some will have locks, and some will have a Knox Box. Chairperson Giedraitis stated that she sits on the Fire Advisory Board that is a collaboration of over 50 cities, meeting on fire codes. Ms. Giedraitis requested an amendment to the IRC to keep Section R313.1 and remove Section R313.2. March 22, 2022 Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals Meeting Minutes Page 3 of 4 Building Official Binford clarified that in the 2009 edition of the IRC required every single- family home to be sprinkled, however the state of Texas passed a law that no municipality can require every single-family home to be sprinkled. Mr. Binford further clarified that staff proposes to delete that requirement based on state law requirement. Board Member Fix asked if there are any laws that require homes to have automatic sprinkler systems. Building Official Binford stated that the only time the City of College Station requires sprinkling of single-family homes, is if they are not in a well-covered area for fire services. Board Member Broussard asked about distilled spirits and wine facilities with automatic sprinkler requirements based on the percentage of alcohol. Building Official Binford stated that these requirements are for manufacturing facilities and not for sales or personal use. Mr. Binford clarified that amendment came from the Fire Marshal’s Office. Chairperson Giedraitis opened the public hearing for agenda items 3.2-3.9. No one spoke. Chairperson Giedraitis closed the public hearing for agenda items 3.2-3.9. There was general discussion amongst the Board. Chairperson Giedraitis motioned to amend out Section R313.2 and keep Section R313.1 in the International Residential Code (IRC). There was general discussion amongst the Board regarding the proposed amendment. Board Member Winckler asked for the timeline on code revision and state law. Building Official Binford clarified that this was introduced in the 2009 code cycle, and the state of Texas passed a law that this cannot be required shortly after. Board Member Broussard asked if staff could confirm that the section is referring to townhomes. Board Member Winckler asked how the state law refers to townhomes. Building Official Binford confirmed that the City of College Station defines a townhouse as a single-family dwelling unit, constructed in a group of attached units, separated by property lines with an open space on at least two sides. Chairperson Giedraitis stated that the grey area in the state law refers to one and two-family homes. March 22, 2022 Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4 Board Member Winkler seconded the motion. Board Member Broussard stated that based on the definitions from Unified Development Ordinance and state law, she is not sure how much will be gained with the proposed motion. Chairperson Giedraitis asked how many townhomes and units are currently under construction. Plans Examiner Trujillo stated that there are three different townhome developments that include roughly 30 units. Chairperson Giedraitis asked about the Midtown Development. Building Official Binford clarified that the Midtown Development has permitted only single-family detached structures so far. The motion failed 2-4 with Board Members Evans, Fix, Walther, and Broussard, voting in opposition. Board Member Broussard motioned to approve items 3.2 – 3.9 as presented, Board Member Walther seconded the motion, motion passed 6-0. 7.Discussion and possible action on future agenda items. A Board Member may inquire about a subject for which notice has not been given. A statement of specific factual information or the recitation of existing policy may be given.Any deliberation shall be limited to a proposal to place the subject on an agenda for asubsequent meeting. Chairperson Giedraitis asked for notification when the codes and amendments will be presented to the Greater Brazos Valley Builders Association (GBVBA) and City Council. 8.Adjourn The meeting adjourned at 7:58 p.m. Approved: Attest: ______________________________ ________________________________ Cynthia Giedraitis, Chairperson Kristen Hejny, Board Secretary Construction Board of Adjustments Planning & Development Services