HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Estes Park Board of Appeals 2019-05-02RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Park Board of Appeals 1
May 2, 2019 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Commission:
Attending:
Also Attending:
Chair Joe Calvin, Amy Plummer, Brad Klein, Tony Schiaffo
Members Calvin, Plummer, Darling, Klein
Interim Chief Building Official Randy Hunt, Code Compliance Officer Hardin,
Building Plans Examiner Charlie Phillips, Building Inspector Claude Traufield,
Recording Secretary Karin Swanlund
Absent: Schiaffo, Darling
Chair Calvin called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. Each Board member introduced himself and
provided their area of expertise.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
It was moved and seconded (Plummer/Klein) to approve the agenda as presented and the motion
passed 3-0.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes from December 6, 2018
It was moved and seconded (Klein/Plummer) to approve the minutes as presented and the motion
passed 3-0 with with Darling abstaining.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
None
PURPOSE OF MEETING
The Board of Appeals meets as needed regarding matters of the Town of Estes Park's Division of
Building Safety. They are not a decision -making board, but act as a Recommending Body to the Town
Board. They assist with the adoption of the new International Building Codes and local amendments
to those codes.
VACATION HOME LIFE SAFETY SURVERY (LSS) APPEAL, 150 Willowstone Drive
CBO Hunt noted that the owner and applicant requested continuance of this appeal as neither could
be present for this meeting.
Board/Staff Discussion:
The board discussed what action should be taken. Plummer stated that the communication could
have been better, and gave the applicant the benefit of the doubt suggesting approval of the appeal.
Klein would like to hear from the owner. It was decided to continue the item.
It was moved and seconded (Klein/Plummer) to continue the appeal to Thursday May 9 and the
motion passed 3-0.
VACATION HOME LIFE SAFETY SURVERY APPEAL, 580 Riverside Drive
CCO Hardin summarized the appeal regarding the railing on the staircase. It is an original to the home
built in 1927 but does not meet IRC Building codes. The owner would like to have this grandfathered
in order to pass the LSS Inspection.
Board/Staff Discussion:
If a new railing was installed, it could be safer than the current one, yet still not code compliant.
Width of stairs and height of the railing were not known. Inspector Traufield explained that LSS
inspections did not require stair dimensions, just the railing safety. Plummer felt that there should be
some way of raising the railing. Engaging a Design Professional to design something safer was
recommended. Due to this being a vacation rental, thus a business, safety standards should be up to
par. Hardin noted that the owner has until March 31, 2020 to get the railing replaced.
Applicant Discussion:
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Estes Park Board of Appeals
May 2, 2019 Board Room, Estes Park Town Hall
Eric Blackhurst, realtor, explained that this property is under contract and scheduled to close in May.
Contractor Jim O'Reilly was hired to try to fix the problem, but could not come to any effective
solutions without destroying the historic feature. This property has been used as a Vacation Home for
the past three years.
It was moved and seconded (Klein/Plummer) to deny the appeal stating reasons of safety concerns.
The motion passed 3-0.
DISCUSSION: CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT A PERMIT
Building Plans Examiner Charlie Phillips explained the process of work done without a permit, but with
plans and finished project. Past policy would be to do some demolition in order to inspect the work
that had been done. Larimer County has a procedure for situations like this; if the homeowner
chooses, they can hire professionals to document and approve what was built without permits, per
current codes, and the permit is issued. Having this procedure available would lighten the work load
for the Building Department.
Board Discussion:
Contractor liability is high and seeing the work that was done is necessary. The current policy is
appropriate. The percentage of work done without permits is approximately 25%. Work without
permits has an investigation fee equal to the amount of the permit fee if the homeowner did the work
and 3 times the permit fee if done by a contractor. Larimer County charges an investigation fee if the
current owner did the work. If Larimer County thinks this a good policy, then this should be a safe
route to take. Giving the homeowner a choice is desirable, with demo as the default. This is a Policy
Adjustment, not a Code Amendment. It was requested to check with Larimer County and find out the
mechanics of the process.
It was moved and seconded (Klein/Plummer) to have staff further research the subject. The motion
passed 3-0.
Hunt reported that an Interim Chief Building Official will start May 13 for approximately 6 months
until a permanent CBO can be found.
There being no additional business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:56 p.m.
e l`alvin, Chair
Karin Swanlund, Recording Secretary