Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 - 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 2013 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 2013 included Alan Cram, Andrea Dunlap, Torey Lenoch, Justin Montgomery, Rick Reider, and George Smith. Jeff Schneider served from January to June and Mike Doddridge served from September to December. Alan Cram served as Chairperson for the year; Jeff Schneider served as Vice-Chairperson until June when he resigned. George Smith served as Vice- Chairperson from June through December. Council liaison to the Board was Council Member Kelly Ohlson through March. Mayor Weitkunat served as Council liaison to the Board from June through December. Staff support was provided by Mike Gebo, Paul Eckman, Delynn Coldiron, Melanie Clark and Tara Leman. 2013 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 no cases from contractors asking for exceptions to license approvals.  None  Exceptions/Upgrades: The Board heard no cases from a contractor asking for exceptions to the licensing regulations.  None. 2. LICENSE HEARINGS: The Board heard one case against contractors who had violated the City’s licensing regulations.  The Board considered alleged violations for work being done by the contractor prior to issuance of the required building permit and reviewed the applicant’s previous violation history. Based on their review, the Board made a Finding of Fact confirming the following violations of Section 15-162(d) of the City’s Municipal Code: 1. Knowing or deliberate disregard of the building code or any other code adopted by the City related to a specific construction project under the responsibility of the certificate holder or license holder; BRB Annual Report December 31, 2013 Page 2 - 2 - 2. Failure to comply with a provision of the code related to a specific construction project under the responsibility of the certificate holder or license holder; and 3. Failure to obtain required permit for work performed or to be performed. Based on the Board’s findings, as well as the respondent having no prior violations, the Board voted unanimously to reinstate all licenses and supervisor certificates held by the respondent. 3. BUILDING OR RENTAL HOUSING CODE HEARINGS: The Board heard no cases involving City Codes:  None 4. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS:  Student Housing Action Plan: The Board reviewed the proposed Student Housing Action Plan (SHAP) as presented by the Neighborhood Services Manager. The purpose of SHAP was to balance the need for student housing with maintaining the compatibility and quality of existing neighborhoods. There were questions on: 1) the sources for incentives, 2) the role of historic preservation criteria in the campus area, 3) whether Front Range Community College had been considered in the plan, 4) whether this program was a means for creating a rental property list or a rental licensing program, 5) the parking program, and 6) the added requirements the program placed on property owners. The Board was encouraged to provide additional feedback throughout the process.  2012 International Building and Related Codes: The Board periodically received updates on the 2012 International Building and related Code throughout the review process and was encouraged to provide feedback.  East Side/West Side Neighborhoods Character Study: The Board reviewed the proposed East Side/West Side Neighborhoods Character Study as presented by Peter Barnes, Zoning Supervisor, and Pete Wray, Senior City Planner. The purpose of the East Side/West Side Neighborhoods Character Study was to assess neighborhood compatibility issues related to impacts of larger new construction projects. In comparison to the previous 2010/2011 study, which focused on building size impacts, this study takes a broader look at the character and context of the neighborhoods including building size and design compatibility. There were questions on: 1) the solar access study, if it took into account that east and west facing homes would be subject to different rules than north or south facing homes, 2) whether staff was happy or confident with the fact that the study takes into account that the sidewall section would only effect fifty percent of the homes in the Eastside/Westside neighborhoods, 3) whether an existing home would have to comply with the solar standard when an addition to the home was made, 4) whether there would by any consideration for increased FAR for lots that cannot have a basement, 5) whether the same standards would apply when the neighbors sidewall abutted the rear of the property line, 6) why this item was back so quickly if so many people were opposed just two years prior, 7) whether all impacted parties were in favor of this, and 8) whether the FAR is more or less restrictive when compared to other zoning districts.  Capital Improvement Expansion Fee Update: The Board reviewed the proposed Capital Expansion Fee Update as presented by Jessica Ping-Small, Revenue and Project Manager. The purpose the Capital Expansion Fee update was to ensure that the methodology first implemented was still applicable and also to assess the fee structure to confirm that it was in BRB Annual Report December 31, 2013 Page 3 - 3 - line with the current level of service. There were questions on: 1) what statistics determine the amount of usage based on house square footage, 2) trails and what percentage in open space had been purchased with the special open space tax, 3) whether the Homebuilders Association or Fort Collins Board of Realtors had voiced opinions, 4) what the percentage increase the proposal would have over current fees, 5) how the fees fit in with general taxes and other revenue, 6) what the impact on the City coffers would be if the fees were not increased, 7) whether the study took into account only implementing fees for the housing stock that existed prior to 1996 who did not pay into these fees, 8) whether uninhabitable basement square footage would be included in the calculations, whether the fees are associated with an area of town or specific development, 9) whether the need to double the fees every twelve years really existed, and 10) how the future trails expansion would be funded if the trail fee was not included.  Exterior Property Maintenance Code: The Board reviewed the proposed Exterior Property Maintenance Code as presented by Beth Sowder, Neighborhood Services Manager. The purpose was to discuss possible solutions regarding some ongoing residential exterior property maintenance issues, particularly relating to health and safety, which are not addressed by current City codes. There were questions on: 1) why owner-occupied dwelling units were exempt from the substandard category, 2) whether the change would be well received by homeowners upon whom the new standards would be imposed, 3) the impact on residents who may not be able to afford the improvements, 4) how many complaints were received by staff regarding these types of issues, and 5) what would happen should contact with the property owner did not occur.  First Annual Luncheon: The Board held a first annual luncheon with the incoming Council Liaison Mayor Weitkunat. Future luncheons were supported by the Mayor and Board Members.