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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2015-09-22 Tuesday, September 22, 2015 TOWN BOARD 5:00 p.m. – 6:40 p.m. STUDY SESSION Rooms 202/203 5:00 p.m. Dinner Served 5:15 p.m. International Property Maintenance Code (Dangerous Buildings Code) and Adoption of New International Building Code. (Chief Building Official Birchfield) 6:15 p.m. Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions. 6:25 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items. (Board Discussion) 6:40 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 4:45 p.m.” AGENDA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Report To: Honorable Mayor Pinkham Board of Trustees Town Administrator Lancaster From: Will Birchfield, Chief Building Official Date: September 22, 2015 RE: International Property Maintenance Code (Dangerous Buildings Code) and Adoption of 2015 International Building Codes Objective: This is an update of the public meetings held by the Estes Park Board of Appeals to address adopting the 2015 International Building Codes, including the consideration of adopting the International Property Maintenance Code (or a portion thereof) for the first time. During the study session, staff will provide Trustees with an overview of the significant code changes supported by the Board of Appeals and significant changes that require additional prior to support. Present Situation: The Town currently administers and enforces the 2009 International Building Codes with local amendments, as adopted in 2011. In January, 2015, the Board of Appeals began meeting monthly (first Thursdays) to review significant changes to the 2012 and 2015 International Codes, as well as the current local amendments. Although the town bypassed the adoption of the 2012 codes, those changes will apply to the 2015 codes and, therefore, warrant review. Significant changes are labeled as such by the ICC, and separate books are published for easy reference. The review process has included professional and productive discussions of the codes, but additional discussion and public outreach will be necessary before the Board of Appeals can make recommendations for certain local amendments. The following codes have been reviewed: International Building Code March 12, 2015 International Building Code, continued March 26, 2015 International Residential Code April 2, 2015 International Fuel Gas Code May 7, 2015 International Mechanical Code June 4, 2015 International Plumbing Code July 2, 2015 International Property Maintenance Code August 6, 2015 International Fire Code September 3, 2015 The following codes are scheduled for review: International Energy Conservation Code October 1, 2015 International Existing Building Code November 5, 2015 In addition to the regular agenda items, those items requiring additional research and discussion are heard as time allows at the end of each meeting. Additional meetings with stakeholders and other interested groups will be held in October. The Board of Appeals may need to have additional meetings in order to finalize the recommendations on certain issues. Proposal: The International Property Maintenance code was reviewed in August. At that time, the Board of Appeals discussed the code and the advantages and disadvantages of this code, which up to this date, has never been adopted by the Town of Estes Park. Board members came to consensus that this code would be worthwhile to review and discuss in more detail, and they would consider making recommendations if so directed by the elected officials. It was important to the Board of Appeals to uphold the Constitution concerning private property rights, and to involve stakeholders in the consideration of recommending the adoption of local amendments. Advantages: The Chief Building Official is currently authorized to act on dangerous buildings only when the building is in imminent danger of collapse or when other dangers deemed dangerous for public safety and welfare are present. By adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, the Division of Building Safety would be allowed to inspect buildings and require the needed maintenance, provided they are given permission by the property owner to enter the building. It was noted at the Board of Appeals meeting that in many cases, complex systems are in place to ensure public safety in buildings (e.g. automatic fire sprinklers). However, unless those systems are routinely and properly maintained, they can become a safety hazard not only to the property owner or tenant, but also to the public entering the building. This is one example of how the Property Maintenance Code could be implemented. Disadvantages: Stakeholders could consider the adoption of the Property Maintenance Code is an infringement of property rights. For this reason, staff would only inspect a property with the property owner’s permission. Staff would work with the property owner and encourage voluntary compliance. If the property owner refused to give permission, staff would follow the appropriate legal steps to obtain permission to inspect the property, if deemed necessary. Action Recommended: 1) Direction from the elected officials as to whether or not to proceed with the review and discussion of the International Property Maintenance Code by the Board of Appeals, who would then bring forth recommendations for adoption of the code with local amendments. 2) Direction from the elected officials whether or not to proceed as scheduled with the remainder of the review process, including a detailed report to the Trustees on November 24, 2015. The public hearing for adoption of the 2015 International Building Codes with local amendments would be at the December 8, 2015 Town Board meeting. Public comment would be accepted at both meetings. Budget: None. Level of Public Interest Medium                    October 19, 2015  Final Avalanche Economic Development Strategy Report November 10, 2015  Discussion of Noise Ordinance Items Approved – Unscheduled: (Items are not in order of priority)  Update on the Status of the Events Center Finances  Update on Upcoming Construction Schedules for Major Projects Through 2018  Fish Hatchery Property Discussion  Process for interviewing for Boards and Commissions  Discuss the Role of Town Government in Economic Development as it Relates to the Estes Valley EDC and Other Organizations (Possibly a Work Session with the EDC & VEP)  Local Preference Purchasing Policy  Briefing on Storm Drainage and Flood Management Issues and Management Options. Discussion of Storm Water Utility.  Update on Environmental Assessment NEPA Process Draft Concerning the Loop  Follow Up on Broadband Issues Study Session Items for Board Consideration:  None Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items September 22, 2015