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Home My WebLink AboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2023-01-24 January 24, 2023 5:45 p.m. - 6:45 p.m. TOWN BOARDEP 0 Board Room STUDY SESSION 5:30 p.m. Dinner AGENDA No public comment will be heard This study session will be streamed live and available on the Town YouTube page at www.estes.org/videos 5:45 p.m. Building Code Discussion. (Director Garner) 6:35 p.m. Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions. 6:40 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items. (Board Discussion) 6:45 p.m. Adjourn for Town Board Meeting. Informal discussion among Trustees concerning agenda items or other Town matters may occur before this meeting at approximately 5:30 p.m. Page 1 Page 2 A fP TOWN OF ESTES PARI Report COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT To: Honorable Mayor Koenig Board of Trustees Through: Town Administrator Machalek From: Jessica Garner, AICP, Community Development Director Date: January 24, 2023 RE: Building Code Discussion Purpose of Study Session Item: Currently, the Town reviews new construction under the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), and would like to wrap up the discussion with the Board about options and the timeline to adopt the 2021 suite of codes in the coming months. Town Board Direction Requested: Staff is seeking guidance from the Board regarding the Energy Code (IECC) and new legislation which requires cities and counties to update their energy codes to increase energy efficiency and cut the climate pollution from new homes and commercial buildings (HB 22-1362). The Town is operating under the 2015 IECC, and may continue to do so for now, but could also consider adopting the 2018 or 2021 code before July, 2023. Staff will present information regarding the overall financial impacts of the 2021 code, as well as other benefits or drawbacks to consider. Proposal: There is general consensus from the Town and the Building Advisory Committee (BAC) to adopt the 2021 Building Code, which is also consistent with Larimer County, and staff would also like to adopt the first two chapters of the Property Maintenance Code. Advantages: • Town will utilize updated building codes • Comparable standards in Larimer County, which saves time and provides consistency for local builders throughout the Estes Valley • Modern standards for building efficiencies • New standards to address impacts of climate change Page 3 Disadvantages: • Costs may increase for the builders, which get passed down to homeowners and prospective buyers. However, changes may result in lower energy bills over time, and insurance costs may decrease. • Change is difficult. However, state legislation mandates adoption of an energy code, and there is no ability for the Town to use the current code in perpetuity. Finance/Resource Impact: N/A Level of Public Interest Staff have engaged with the BAC over the past year on the code changes, and they plan to submit a letter with their recommendations to the Board. Staff has not received any formal comments to date. Page 4 EP{P CommunityDevelopment IBC. INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE <ofik ' N O N Building Codes Discussion En Jessica Garner,AICP, Community Development Director / M Gary Rusu, Building Official, SAFEbuilt f/ January 24, 2023 ft Development • The Town uses the 2015 IBC and Energy Codes today • Recommends adoption of the 2021 International Building and Residential codes (IBC and IRC) • Code would then be consistent with Larimer County • Local amendments? • Only to be consistent with existing amendments to the 2015 Code 4e 5 EP EnergyCode • The Town currently uses the 2015 IECC, but this will be affected by • Changes to state law in 2023 (July) • Changes to state law in 2026 • Construction costs are expected to increase with the 2021 IECC • Staff is still reviewing options and will come back to the Board soon with a recommendation prior to July (waiting for state guidance and more detailed analysis from code experts) • Staff has applied for state assistance to write and develop the Code- TBD IP p{P tY Pro er Maintenance Code • Focus is only on commercial buildings • The primary rationale is for public safety when there are no active permits for a project but something is not functioning properly • The Code provides more authority to investigate situations that may impact public health and safety, beyond what the IBC authorizes the Building Official to do • Differences between IBC and PMC • Staff is still reviewing the code, and seeking feedback from the Board tonight only 2e6 IP IP 0 uestions/Comments? Page 7 PUBLIC COMMENT RECEIVED 2023-01-24 Estes Valley Contractors Association TO: Town of Estes Park Board of Trustees RE: Adoption of the 2021 Building Codes Date: January 23, 2023 The Building Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Estes Valley Contractors Association was established in January of 2019. Its membership consists of local building and design professionals. We have worked closely with the town staff to recommend processes and methods that are beneficial to the professional building community, and the residents of Estes Park. We have met several times this past year to discuss the 2021 code. Concerns were expressed regarding the cost versus return of components in the new energy code, as well as the wind and snow load requirements. Questions have also been raised regarding the requirement for an engineer or architect to seal drawings for single-family homes, which also adds to the cost of new construction. As with all code changes, the cost impacts should be taken into consideration, especially as we struggle to create more affordable housing in our community. The Building Advisory Committee is hesitant to recommend adoption of the 2021 Code, due to an incomplete understanding of its impacts. If the Town Board adopts the 2021 Code, we request that you consider amendments when we see the impacts after the 2021 Code is implemented The BAC will continue to work with the Town staff to explore future amendments. The advisory committee is grateful for the opportunity to engage with the Building Department these last four years and look forward to continued cooperation and teamwork that benefits the people of Estes Park. Sincerely, The Building Advisory Committee of The Estes Valley Contractors Association Don Darling Chuck Santagati Frank Theis Thomas Beck Mike Aldrich Nate Kinley Joe Calvin Mike Kingswood, Chair Page 8 ___, A EP , . TOWN of ESTES PARK Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items January 24, 2023 February 14, 2023 Items Approved — Unscheduled: • US34 Transportation Management • Governing Policies Updates Organization • Stanley Park Master Plan • Workforce/Affordable Housing and Implementation Childcare Funding Policy Update • Downtown Loop Updates as Necessary February 28, 2023 Items for Town Board Consideration: • 1 A Renewal None Page 9 Page 10