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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding Review Board - Minutes - 04/29/2004• Minutes approved by the Board at the May 27, 2004 Meeting FORT COLLINS BUILDING REVIEW BOARD Regular Meeting — April 29, 2004 1.00 P.M. I.Council Liaison: Karen Weitkunat IlStaff Liaison: Felix Lee 221-6760 hai erson: Charles Fielder hone: 484-0117(W), 207-0505(H) A regular meeting of the Building Review Board was held on Thursday April 29, 2004, in the Council Chambers of the Fort Collins Municipal Building at 300 LaPorte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. BOARDMEMBERS PRESENT: David Carr Charles Fielder Leslie Jones Gene Little John McCoy Michael Smilie arrived at 1:05 p.m. • BOARDMEMBERSABSENT: Bradley Massey STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT: Felix Lee, Building and Zoning Director Delynn Coldiron, Contractor Licensing Administrator Stacie Soriano, Staff Support AGENDA: ROLLCALL The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Fielder, and roll call was taken. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Carr made a motion to approve the minutes from the March 25, 2004, meeting. Jones seconded the motion. The motion passed. Contractor Appeal —Mike Kochevar, d/b/a Kochevar Construction, LLP, Case #08-04 Lee provided an introduction to the appeal. Mr. Kochevar applied for a class D-2 license. The projects submitted were insufficient for a D2 license and, staff was unable to approve the license. The D2 license allows for structural additions up to 1000 square feet and garages. However, the BRB 04/29/2004 Page 2 Appellant was interested in interior finish work mainly consisting of basement finishes. Kochevar passed the D2 exam with a respectable score. Michael Kochevar addressed the Board. He stated that he was raised in the construction business. Kochevar explained that he gained experience in the construction industry in the 1970s and early 1980s, making it difficult to obtain project verification forms. According to Kochevar, in the 1990s he settled into performing basement finish and remodeling jobs. Kochevar started receiving referrals from clients in Larimer County for individuals that live in Fort Collins. Kochevar noted that he did not like to turn down referrals and that he is seeking a license in Fort Collins to perform basement finish work. According to Kochevar, he has worked for other jurisdictions and has not had any problems. Kochevar stated he would be satisfied with a license to perform basement finishes. Lee asked Kochevar if any of the projects he submitted included structural work. Kochevar replied that he often does encounter structural changes and will contact an engineer. Kochevar gave the example of a client in Windsor who wanted the wall cut away from the stairs to make a bigger opening. Kochevar noted that he has wrapped columns in basements. Carr asked Lee if it was possible to issue a Class D2 license for only basement finishes. Lee replied yes and noted that staff has the capability to track these kinds of restrictions on licenses. Smilie asked Kochevar about the voluntary licensing process in Greeley. Kochevar explained that when he applied for permits in Greeley he was given a number. The number and subcontractors were tracked. Kochevar did not have any closing statements. Lee made his closing statements. Lee clarified that Kochevar could be involved in other portions of the house beyond basements. Kochevar said he was often asked by customers to remodel their kitchen. Lee wanted to make sure the approval was not overly restrictive. Little explained to Kochevar that when he had the opportunity to perform projects that qualify for the D2 license he could come before the Board to request approval to perform the work. Little added that the projects would be considered on a case by case basis. Little made a motion to approve Kochevar for a Class D2 license restricted to basement finish projects at this time. Carr seconded the motion. Fielder asked for clarification on whether Kochevar passed the Dl or D2 license exam. Lee replied that the tests are the same. Smilie wondered if the Board should limit Kochevar to a D2 license that was restricted to nonstructural interior remodeling rather than strictly for basement finishes. Fielder added that the approval should limit structural alterations and additions. Fielder asked Little if he wanted to reword his motion. Little asked Lee for clarification on the restrictions that the Board could place on Kochevar. Lee provided clarification and added that he did not see a lot of distinction between non-structural work below or above grade. Fielder agreed and said the limitation should be on structural modifications and/or additions. Smilie wanted the structural condition to remain even for basement finishes. Little amended his motion. BRB 04/29/2004 Page 3 • The Board discussed how to word the motion. Kochevar reiterated that he did not want to be limited to basement finishes. He was agreeable to structural changes and additions being excluded from the approval. Lee asked the Board about accessory buildings and garages. Carr rephrased the motion to read that a Class D2 license be approved but restricted to interior basement finish projects of a non-structural nature. Smilie wanted basement finish struck from the motion. Carr changed the motion to approve a Class D2 license restricted to interior finish projects of a non-structural nature. Kochevar asked if he should continue consulting an engineer with structural issues. Fielder asked Kochevar if he had a degree or had taken any classes that would help the Board get over the experience hurdle. Kochevar stated that he took a class on the 1997 UBC two years ago. He also mentioned that he had a bachelor's degree in science. Fielder reminded the Board that in the past education has been taken into consideration to approve a license. Jones said he was impressed with Kochevar going out of his way to comply with the licensing requirements as well as his test score. Jones did not see a problem with allowing the structural component. Lee said the Board needed to address the motion on the floor. Lee wanted the Board to keep in mind that an unrestricted D2 license would allow for total reconstruction of portions of an existing home up to 1,000 square feet. Smilie was comfortable with leaving in some structural restrictions. Little stated it was important to honor the licensing procedure. Little liked Carr's is motion. Coldiron stated the motion was to approve a D2 license restricted to interior projects that were non-structural in nature. Kochevar asked staff if all exterior projects were considered structural in nature. Lee said yes. Carr amended his motion to include minor structural nature as defined by the Building Department. The burden would be on plan review staff to determine what constituted minor structural alterations. The final motion was to approve a D2 license restricted to interior finish work, including minor structural alterations as defined by the Building Official. The motion passed. McCoy voted against the motion because he felt a D2 license should be issued without restriction. Jones agreed. Vote: Yeas: Little, Fielder, Smilie, and Carr. Nays: Jones and McCoy 4. Contractor Appeal —Michael Ikeler, d/b/a Ikeler Construction, LLC, Case #09-04 Lee provided an introduction to the appeal. He noted that Ikeler had built a shade structure at 1701 Hotchkiss without a license or building permit. He added that, according to the Appellant, • the ownership of the house changed and the permit was lost in the process. Lee clarified that no building permit had been obtained. Lee stated that Ikeler was seeking a DI license but the Board needed to determine if he was suitable to be licensed. BRB 04/29/2004 Page 4 Ikeler addressed the Board. He mentioned that he took the Dl exam and passed it. Ikeler stated that when a deck is less than 30 inches above grade a building permit is not required. He added that the project started off with a deck that was under the 30" requirement, but then a pergola was added. Ikeler admitted that he performed the work without a building permit. Ikeler noted that the project was completed, but that the building permit was not finalized. Fielder asked Ikeler to define pergola. Ikeler said it was a shade structure that was open in nature. Lee confirmed that the permit has been applied for. Ikeler noted a dispute between the two homeowners. Lee asked Ikeler if he was aware that he needed a building permit. Ikeler said yes and stated that initially he was going to have the homeowner obtain the building permit. However, he added that the old homeowner moved out of state and the new homeowner was unwilling to do so. Ikeler admitted that he was wrong. Ikeler did not have a closing statement. Lee made his closing statements and reiterated that the appellant admitted that violations had occurred. Little acknowledged that Ikeler agreed to pay the penalty. Little made a motion to approve a Class DI license with the requirement that the appropriate fines be paid to the City. Little wanted a letter of reprimand placed in Ikeler's file stating he would be subject to a Board hearing to determine disciplinary action up to and including loss of license if another violation occurred. Carr seconded the motion. Vote: Yeas: McCoy, Jones, Little, Fielder, Smilie, and Carr. Nays: None. 5. Other Business Lee reported the IRC was on the City Council's agenda on April 20, 2004. However, the meeting ran late and Council made a motion to remove this item from the agenda. He noted that the 1RC will not be heard by City Council until July. Staff is now recommending that the 1RC not be implemented until January 2005. Lee noted that Council member Kastein has requested that staff perform a savings analysis on a component basis. Lee asked if Jones and any others would be interested. Meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. GAT Felix Lee, ' ding & Zoning Director Charles ' der hai rs