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Home My WebLink About2011 - Building Review Board - Annual ReportCommunity Development & Neighborhood Services 281 North College Avenue P.O. Box 580 Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580 970.416.2740 970.224.6134- fax fcgov.com Planning, Development & Transportation BUILDING REVIEW BOARD 2011 ANNUAL REPORT BACKGROUND: The Building Review Board consists of seven members. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Board may also meet as needed in order to convene special meetings. Members who served during 2011 included Alan Cram, Andrea Dunlap, Torey Lenoch (starting in October, 2011), Brice Miller (until August, 2011), Jim Packard (until August, 2011), Justin Montgomery (starting in October, 2011), Rick Reider, Jeff Schneider and George Smith. Alan Cram served as Chairperson for the year; Jeff Schneider served as Vice-Chairperson for the year. Council liaison to the Board was Council Member Kelly Ohlson. Staff support was provided by Mike Gebo, Steve Dush, Paul Eckman, Delynn Coldiron, Melanie Clark and Lynn Suess. 2011 YEAR IN REVIEW: As the appellate body for building codes and contractor licensing regulations, the Board hears appeals upon request. 1. APPEALS:  License Approvals: The Board heard one case from contractors asking for approval of licenses that had been denied by staff due to incomplete and/or insufficient project experience, due to the specialized nature of the work done by such companies which did not fit well into any of the available Fort Collins contractor license classes, when an exam waiver was being requested, or due to the fact that violations had occurred to the City’s licensing regulations.  Perry Feeney, d/b/a Complete Engineering Solutions, LLC: The appellant was requesting a waiver from the City’s requirement that he be certified through Colorado Solar Energy Industries Association (COSEIA) or North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) in order to qualify for a City’s Solar License. The Board approved the appellant’s request based on the appellant’s education and specialized training as a licensed Professional Engineer.  Exceptions/Upgrades: The Board heard no cases from a contractor asking for exceptions to the licensing regulations.  None. 2. LICENSE HEARINGS: The Board heard no cases against contractors who had violated the City’s licensing regulations.  None. BRB Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 2 - 2 - 3. BUILDING/RENTAL HOUSING CODE HEARINGS: The Board heard no cases involving City Codes:  None. 4. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:  Green Building Code: Board Members Cram and Schneider participated on code committees associated with the Green Building program. The Board reviewed presented information and provided many comments and suggestions. Items of concern, included: 1) prescriptive requirements versus incentives and allowing choices for compliance; 2) costs for implementation and related impacts; 3) added workload and cost for contractors and the Building department to track requirements; 4) construction waste recycling; 5) limited to new construction (alterations and additions were not included); 6) too many mandated items (only the most tangible and meaningful items should be required); 7) AAMA or similar window installation certification; and 8) government’s role in regulating what people can/cannot put in their homes (dictating finishes, materials and specifications). The Board agreed that the Green Building program was important for the City of Fort Collins; however, they could not support the Green Building Code as it had been presented due to concerns over cost, over the prescriptive nature versus the incentive nature of the program, over appraisal justification and over the lack of detail on certain items. They requested that more time be taken to address these items and fully complete the Code. The Board continued to receive periodic updates on Green Building program efforts throughout the year, including that City Council passed this item in March, 2011.  BRB Duties and Responsibilities: The Board reviewed their roles and responsibilities along with Building Official, Mike Gebo, and Deputy City Attorney, Paul Eckman. They reviewed each Code section that related to Building Review Board functions, including: 1. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 2, Article III, Division 1 – Boards and Commissions; 2. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 2, Article III, Division 7 – Building Review Board; 3. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article II, Division 2 – Building Construction Standards; 4. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article II, Division 3 – Structures and Premises Condition Code; 5. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article II, Division 4 – Moved Buildings; 6. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article IV, Division 1 – Rental Housing Standards; 7. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 5, Article VII – Historic Buildings; 8. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 9 – Fire Prevention and Protection; 9. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 15, Article II, Division 2 – Alarm Systems; 10. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 15, Article V – Contractors; 11. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 15, Article VI – Electrical Contractors; 12. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 15, Article X – Plumbing Contractors; and 13. City of Fort Collins Municipal Code, Chapter 18 – Mobile Home Park; Meeting quorums, executive sessions, and public meeting requirements were also discussed.  2009 I-Code Classes: The 2009 I-Code class was held in April, 2011. Several Board members attended the class and provided feedback. A video was provided to all other Board Members were not able to attend the class.  2011 Fee Study: The Board reviewed and discussed proposed updates to building permit and plan check fees charged by the City. The proposal included a change in the philosophy BRB Annual Report December 31, 2011 Page 3 - 3 - for establishing the fees, as well as the anticipated impacts to various construction project types. The Board provided many comments and suggestions. Areas of concern included: 1) costs included for recovery; 2) impacts of increased costs to construction activity; 3) timing of the increase due to the economy; 4) extent of outreach efforts; 5) changes to existing business practices (i.e., Sales Tax collection at point of sale vs. at building permit) which might eliminate the need for a fee increase. The Board recommended to City Council a phased approach of a 50% increase in 2012, with the remaining 50% increase in 2013. They also suggested that the fees reviewed regularly, every 2 years, in conjunction with the City’s budget process. City Council adopted the fee increase in September, 2011.  Community Scorecard: The Board viewed and provided feedback on the City’s Community Scorecard. Each Board Member was provided with a copy. Delynn Coldiron presented this information and explained the data contained within the document.  Communication Survey: The Board provided information to City staff and City Council on coordination/communication efforts with other boards and commissions, together with suggestions for communication improvements.  Unapproved Dwelling Units: The Board received updates on this program throughout the year, reviewed related activity and provided feedback.  Rental Housing Program: The Board reviewed information on the City’s Rental Housing program as well as the related appeals process. They suggested that City staff provide this same information to property management companies and explain related procedures to them.