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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBuilding Review Board - Minutes - 10/31/2019City of Fort Collins Page 1 October 31, 2019 Alan Cram, Chair City Council Chambers Tim Johnson, Vice Chair City Hall West Brad Massey 300 Laporte Avenue Bernie Marzonie Fort Collins, Colorado Katharine Penning Eric Richards Staff Liaison: Justin Robinson Russ Hovland Chief Building Official The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs, and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call 221-6515 (TDD 224-6001) for assistance. Meeting Minutes October 31, 2019 A regular meeting of the Building Review Board was held on October 31, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Fort Collins Municipal Building at 300 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. • CALL TO ORDER Chair Cram called the meeting to order at 1:01 p.m. • ROLL CALL PRESENT: Cram, Johnson (joined the meeting at 1:23 p.m.), Massey, Marzonie, Penning, Richards ABSENT: Robinson STAFF: Hovland, Currell, Leeson, Yatabe, Schiager • PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA No members of the public were present. • DISCUSSION AGENDA 1. CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 27, 2019 MEETING. Mr. Richards moved to approve the minutes of the June 27, 2019 meeting. Ms. Penning seconded. The motion passed 5-0. Building Review Board City of Fort Collins Page 2 October 31, 2019 2. DEVELOPMENT REVIEW AND BUILDING PERMIT FEES STUDY DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this item is to update the Board about the fee study and outreach efforts, answer questions, and obtain feedback from the Board. STAFF: Tom Leeson, Director, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Noelle Currell, PDT Finance Manager Staff Report Mr. Leeson presented the staff report. He reviewed the timeline for fee updates, purpose of the fees and history of updates. He stated that the fees are based on staff time. He talked about several process improvements that have been made to increase efficiency. Fees for development review, and infrastructure inspections are increasing while building permits are decreasing. He stated that the permit fees will be based on square footage instead of valuation, and that over-the-counter permits will have a flat fee. Ms. Currell provided additional details about the fees including examples of different types of developments, showing what fees were paid, and what they would be under the new fee structure. She discussed how the type of development factors into the fees in addition to the square footage. She pointed out that tenant finishes will still be based on valuation, as the scope of the projects can vary widely even within the same square footage. Mr. Leeson talked about the role of the advisory committee in the fee update process and talked about next steps. Board Questions and Discussion Mr. Massey asked about square footage vs. valuation. Mr. Leeson explained that inspection and plan review staff time doesn’t vary much based upon valuation, except tenant finishes. Mr. Massey asked whether fee waivers for affordable housing developments come out of other developers’ fees. Ms. Currell explained that there are dedicated funds in the Capital Improvement Plan fees which are depleted first, and then the rest will come from the general fund. Mr. Leeson added that the general fund comes from taxpayers, and this use of funds was approved by Council. Mr. Massey asked about the percentage of increase for the various types of developments. Ms. Currell explained those numbers. Mr. Richards asked about the percentage of costs covered by utility fees, and whether the increase would benefit rate payers. Ms. Currell said if everything else stayed the same, rates could potentially come down or stay flat. Mr. Richards asked what was included in utilities fees. Ms. Currell explained that included water, wastewater and stormwater, as well as customer service and administration for development review. Mr. Massey asked about double-dipping for personnel. Ms. Currell explained that the revenue sources are detailed in the budget online. 3. BUILDING PERMIT FEE CHANGE UPDATE DESCRIPTION: The purpose of this item is to inform the Board about a recent change regarding building permit fees for roofing that was made effective 10/7/19. No Board action is required. STAFF: Russ Hovland, Chief Building Official Staff Report Mr. Hovland gave a brief staff report. Board Questions and Discussion Ms. Penning asked how the valuations are determined. Mr. Hovland explained how they are calculated. Mr. Richards asked how solar systems impact roofing valuation. Mr. Hovland explained the removal and reinstallations of solar systems are not being included in reroofing permit fee calculations. Chair Cram asked about the response from contractors. Mr. Hovland said are addressing questions and concerns on a case by case basis.