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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-2011_BFBA_MinutesNEWORT BEACH BUILDING AND FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES 09/21/11 Page 1 of 3 NEWPORT BEACH BUILDING AND FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES Council Chambers – 3300 Newport Boulevard September 21, 2011 2:00 p.m. A. CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 2:06 PM B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Led by Brion Jeanette C. ROLL CALL Present: Anderson, Crall, Jeanette, Sandland and Yant Absent (Excused): Liske, Luehrs Staff Present: Seimone Jurjis, Chief Building Official; Ron Gamble, Fire Marshall; Dennis Bogle, Chief Building Inspector; Dan Kennedy, Principal Civil Engineer; Suzanne Kusik, Sr. Plan Check Engineer D. PUBLIC COMMENTS Jim Mosher, a resident of Newport Beach, thanked City staff for their service, and then spoke on the four-year term limit that is set for the chairman and the rest of the board. He also stated that a copy of Rules & Regulations for this board was not found in the City Clerk’s Office and inquired why the City does not have one on file. In closing, he stated that the fee to file an appeal to the board and limited number of days allowed for the appeal period may make it difficult for a member of the public to proceed with the appeal process. E. NEW BUSINESS ITEM NO. 1 City Staff Introductions SUMMARY: City staff will be introduced to the Board. RECOMMENDATION: None Chief Building Official, Seimone Jurjis provided a brief presentation on the new changes that were made in the Community Development Department. He mentioned the division was formally two separate departments, Planning and Building, respectively, which then merged and added the Code Enforcement and Systems Administration Sections. In closing, he introduced the new Director, Kimberly Brandt and the rest of the staff. ITEM NO. 2 Election of Building and Fire Board of Appeals Chair and Vice Chair SUMMARY: On an annual basis the Building and Fire Board of Appeals elects a Chair and Vice Chair to run the Board meetings. A Vice Chair’s role is to run the Board meetings when the Chair is unavailable. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Elect Building and Fire Board of Appeals Chair; 2) Elect Building and Fire Board of Appeals Vice Chair; and 3) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item. Nominations were open by Chair Jeanette to fill vacant seat of Chair for the Building and Fire Board of Appeals. A nomination for Brion Jeanette to serve as the new Chair for the Building and Fire Board of Appeals. NEWPORT BEACH BUILDING AND FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES 09/21/11 Page 2 of 3 Nomination carried (4 – 0, 1 abstention (Jeannette)) to elect Brion Jeanette as the Chair of the Building and Fire Board of Appeals. AYES: Yant, Crall, Anderson, and Sandland NOES: None ABSENT: Liske, Luehrs ABSTAIN: Jeanette Nominations were open by Chair Jeanette to fill the vacant seat of Vice Chair of the Building and Fire Board of Appeals: A nomination for Robert Yant to serve as the Vice Chair of the Building and Fire Board of Appeals. A unanimous decision was made to appoint Robert Yant as the new Vice Chair for the Building and Fire Board of Appeals. ITEM NO. 3 Case No. 2011-01 Ratification of Chief Building Official’s Structural Observation Policy. SUMMARY: The 2010 California Building Code Section 1710-1710.3 requires structural observation to be performed by a registered design professional for structures meeting any of the five (5) specific conditions outlined in the code. Condition number 5 of Section 1710.2 delegate’s authority to the City’s Chief Building Official to designates when structural observation is required beyond what is listed in the code. The Chief Building Official proposes the attached policy to specify and clarify the implementation of condition number 5 by the Building Division. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Ratify the Chief Building Official’s structural observation policy; and 2) Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item. Chief Building Official Jurjis stated that the structural observation policy is new and wants to implement and ratify it to help make transparent to the community the intent of the action. He then provided a brief presentation on the policy. He also stated the exceptions to Item #5 and presented the time and cost impacts of the observation requirements. Board Member Crall asked what the qualifications were to be an Observer. Chief Building Official Jurjis stated the qualifications. Board Member Sandland requested clarification on restrictions as to who can do the inspections and determination of the size or scope of the inspection Chief Building Official Jurjis stated that a licensed professional must do inspections and the scope will be required on the entire project that the permit is granted under. Board Member Anderson made an inquiry as to the policy covering properties with high strength concrete. Chief Building Official Jurjis stated that the policy will focus on structural observation by the designer. Chair Jeanette asked whether an observation report will be needed each time there is a concrete pour. Chief Building Official Jurjis responded to the Chair’s inquiry and stated that one report will be required from the observer after the pour stating the concrete is in conformance. Chair Jeanette encouraged City staff to come up with a recommended list of when the inspections should take place. Chief Building Inspector Bogel expresses some confusion as to the “inspections” versus “observation” process. NEWPORT BEACH BUILDING AND FIRE BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES 09/21/11 Page 3 of 3 Chief Building Official Jurjis noted that complex remodels will require inspection. Chief Building Official Jurjis referred back to item #3 giving reasons for the board to make exceptions. Board Member Anderson requests that the Board’s suggested changes be included in the policy prior to final ratification. Chief Building Official Jurjis stated the agreed changes to the policy. A motion was made by Chair Jeanette, and seconded, to ratify the Chief Building Official’s Structural Observation Policy. The motion carried 5-0. STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS ITEMS: Chair Jeanette began discussion on items mentioned in public comments by resident Jim Mosher. He inquired as to the Board’s knowledge of the history of appeals fee. Board Member Yant stated he believed the amount charged to homeowners for the appeals process was to cover the cost of staff salaries on complex and timely appeals. Chair Jeanette suggested a new tiered approach to fees charged on appeals. Chief Building Official Jurjis stated he would further research the issue of the installation of a cell tower near Mr. Mosher’s home. Chief Building Official Jurjis stated that all Board members are c urrent in their Board positions according to the City Clerk’s Office report. ADJOURNMENT - The Building and Fire Board of Appeals adjourned at 3:05 PM on September 21, 2011.