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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding Review Commission - MINUTES - 10/30/202510/30/25 – MINUTES Building Review Commission REGULAR MEETING October 30, 2025 – 9:00 AM Council Chambers, City Hall 300 Laporte Ave • CALL TO ORDER Chair Richards called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. • ROLL CALL o Commission Members Present –  Eric Richards (Chair)  Shaun Moscrip (Vice Chair)  Gabe Dunbar  Casey Roberts  Jeffrey Schneider  Ronnie Zimmerman o Commission Members Absent –  Bob Poncelow o Staff Members Present –  Marcus Coldiron, Chief Building Official  Brad Smith, Sr. Project Manager  Stefanie Boster, Assistant City Attorney  Melissa Matsunaka, BRC Admin o Guest(s) –  None • AGENDA REVIEW Chair Richards reviewed the published agenda. • COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ON ITEMS ON OR NOT ON THE AGENDA None. • CONSENT AGENDA REVIEW No items were pulled from consent. • CONSENT AGENDA 1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 25, 2025. The purpose of this item is to approve the minutes from September 25, 2025 regular meeting of the Building Review Commission. 10/30/25 – MINUTES Commissioner Dunbar moved, seconded by Commissioner Zimmerman, to approve the Consent Agenda. Yeas: Dunbar, Moscrip, Roberts, Schneider, Zimmerman, and Richards. Nays: none. THE MOTION CARRIED. • DISCUSSION AGENDA 2. 2024 BUILDING CODES The purpose of this item is to update Council on the adoption of 2024 Building Codes, including Energy Code and Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUI). The 2024 International Codes (2024 I-Codes) represent the most up-to-date, comprehensive, and fully integrated body of codes regulating building construction and systems using prescriptive and performance-related provisions. The purpose of these codes is to establish the minimum construction requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare by regulating structural strength and stability, sanitation, light and ventilation, energy conservation, and property protection from hazards STAFF: Marcus Coldiron, Chief Building Official, Planning & Development Services STAFF PRESENTATION Marcus Coldiron, Chief Building Official and Brad Smith, Sr. Project Manager, discussed the larger changes and the work that has been completed on the review of the proposed amendments to the International Code Council (ICC) new International Building Codes. Coldiron noted that building codes are a critical piece of accomplishing community goals and vision, closely aligning with many City plans. Coldiron discussed the approach to collaboration and alignment regionally, and to simplify and clarify existing local amendments. He noted they considered the impact to housing affordability and that incremental change to support incremental impact and cost. Coldiron further discussed the state mandated changes, such as Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and other local amendments, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging. He noted a new Accessory Dwelling Unit – Appendix (IRC), provides additional flexibility when adding and ADU to an existing dwelling. He also discussed the Water Demand Calculator (IPC & IRC). Coldiron presented information on Temporary Emergency Uses – Appendix E (IEBC) and noted that it codifies a long- standing program allowing facilities to act as Community-Based Shelters and Seasonal Overflow Shelters. Brad Smith, Sr. Program Manager, discussed the Energy Code, meeting required Colorado Electric Ready and Solar Ready code. Smith discussed a move away from a traditional “prescriptive” path to “perfomrance” modeling, which allows flexibility and supports innovation and new technologies. He discussed the trajectory to Zero Carbon by 2030. Coldiron discussed that staff is actively working on a comprehensive cost impact analysis, and that preliminary estimates apepar to show that the adoption of the 2024 building codes and local amendments will increase the cost of construction less that that one percent when compared to the 2021 buidling codes. COMMISSION QUESTIONS/DISCUSSION Commissioner Dunbar noted the outreach on this project was substantial and thanked Coldiron and Smith for their hard work. 10/30/25 – MINUTES Commissioner Moscrip asked what the community education piece will look like. Coldiron noted that resources will be provided to the community. Smith noted that they are pursuing additional state funding to continue the project and cost analysis. Smith discussed that an implementation guide and additional resources have been developed. He discussed that a building industry scholarship program has also been developed. He discussed the possibility of having citywide workshops. The commissioners discussed the increased costs of implementing the new code. Commissioner Roberts asked if the development review and building permit review process will be changing. Coldiron noted that staff will not be negatively impacted and builders may lean on alternative means of compliance. Chair Roberts asked for additional information regarding energy modeling. Smith discussed that hiring a third-party energy consultant is being added to the cost analysis. Vice Chair Moscrip discussed his experience regarding energy consultant fees related to commercial building. Smith noted the opportunity on the commercial side to utilize the integrated design assistance program to offset additional costs of construction. The commissioners discussed concerns from the trades, such as HVAC. Vice Chair Moscrip noted the Energy Conservation Code will be requiring renewable energy but will be adjusted in the City’s proposed amendments. Commissioner Schneider discussed that some models are requiring use of equipment that they are unable to yet purchase. Smith noted that the City allows up to 140% of the HVAC load size. He discussed that with the new technology involved with heat pumps, the design form will allow flexibility. The commissioners discussed the code requirements versus the available materials, such as requiring refrigeration A, but only refrigeration B is being made. Coldiron discussed the federal requirements are forcing the industry to scramble but that the local amendments will allow flexibility, especially with the larger commercial and multi-family buildings. Coldiron noted that the City will lean on modification requests or alternate means of compliance to address shifting requirements. The commissioners discussed the change to the accessibility requirements. Coldiron noted that the City code is equal to or above what code requires. Commissioner Moscrip and Smith discussed the benefits of moving away from the prescriptive path of construction. Commissioner Zimmerman asked if there were incentives in the code to encourage early engagement of energy modeling by framing it as return on investment. Smith noted the ease of modeling for residential but due to the different commercial building classifications, size, etc., it is difficult to get commercial numbers. Chair Richards asked for additional information on how the new amendments will apply to remodels, additions, and repairs. Smith indicated that the Zero Carbon code will only apply to new construction. Commissioner Zimmerman moved, seconded by Commissioner Dunbar, for the Building Review Commission to recommend City Council adopt the 2024 Building Codes and Amendments as presented. Yeas: Dunbar, Moscrip, Roberts, Schneider, Zimmerman, and Richards. Nays: none. • OTHER BUSINESS None • ADJOURNMENT Chair Richards adjourned the meeting at 10:12 a.m. Minutes prepared by and respectfully submitted by Melissa Matsunaka.