HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/23/2021 - Memorandum From Russell Hovland, Brad Smith And Kirk Longstein Re: November 9, 2021 Work Session Summary - Building Code Adoption ProcessPlanning, Development & Transportation Services
CommunityDevelopment & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
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970.224.6134- fax
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 11, 2021
TO: Mayor and City Council
THRU: Kelly DiMartino, Interim City Manager
Kyle Stannert, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director of Planning, Development and Transportation
Paul Sizemore, Community Development and Neighborhood Services Director
FROM: Russell Hovland, Chief Building Official
Brad Smith, Energy Code Specialist
Kirk Longstein, Project Manager
RE: November 9, 2021 Work Session Summary Building Code Adoption Process
The purpose of this item was to seek Council direction on adoption of the 2021 International
Codes (I-Codes) and local Code amendments that align with City plans and policies, including,
but not limited to City Plan, Our Climate Future, Housing Strategic Plan, and Electric Vehicle
readiness. The recommended Code package update building
codes on a three-year basis. Changes in the 2021 I-Codes and local amendments address
building science best practices that promote the efficient and cost-effective provisions that
support the types of places want to see in the future.
Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis, and Councilmembers Canonico, Gutowsky, Ohlson and
Peel were present.
Feedback
Overall: Several Councilmembers supported the proposed next step of bringing the
proposed Code package to a first reading discussion in early 2022.
Specific Feedback
Staff need to be mindful of the impacts of increasing first year construction costs as it relates
to affordable housing.
Councilmembers asked several clarifying questions related to electric vehicle (EV) charging
infrastructure building codes and seek further clarification on how the staff proposal accounts
for an abundance of underutilized EV charging infrastructure.
Councilmembers shared interest in the alignment with City plans and policy and seek further
clarification on how building code adoption aligns with triple bottom line community benefits.
Councilmembers expressed interest in technical building science best practices and seek to
further understand how building codes address the future community building stock and
Planning, Development & Transportation Services
CommunityDevelopment & Neighborhood Services
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.416.2740
970.224.6134- fax
fcgov.com
avoid retrofit costs.
Councilmembers expressed interest in the International Energy Conservation Code
alternative compliance verification pathways and seek to understand how these alternative
pathways achieve the desired enforcement outcomes.
Councilmembers requested specific data related to building permit trends starting before the
COVID pandemic up to current market conditions. Councilmembers suggested City staff
consider alternative metrics to evaluate if or how building codes are impacting developers'
willingness to build in Fort Collins.
Next Steps
Q4 2021 - Continued public engagement with affordable housing providers related to the
EV charging infrastructure code proposal.
Q1 2022 - City Council Code package and local amendment Ordinance First Readings