01/31/1990 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Rogers indicated that seismic design, which deals with earthquakest represents the first real change to the model code since 1976. These code changes come as a result of increased information about the forces which are applied to buildings during earthquakes. Mr. Rogers said that the chapter of the code which deals with skylights is specific to Oregon. This change has made the requirements less restrictive in.some cases. Energy conservationt a change which is also specific to the State, attempts to make the code easier to apply in order to promote conservation practices. In response to a question from Ms. Bascomt Mr. Rogers said that when an amendment is made, the City is required to reprint the entire page of the code that was revised even if only minor wording modifications were made. Ms. Ehrman asked whether changes in the code are applied only to new construction and new permits or whether they are also applied retroactively. Mr. Rogers indicated that while updated code requirements apply to the construction of all new buildings and any new additions to a buildingt it does not necessarily bring the entire building into compliance with the revised codes. Mr. Boles asked how this information is integrated with HAl-MAT requirements. In response, Mr. Rogers said that this information closely corresponds to HAl-MAT standards and is applied at the time of plan review and inspection. e Mr. Boles asked how code enforcement is monitored. inspectiont construction is inspected to check for difficult, howevert to ensure compliance with code inspection has been made. Mr. Rogers said that upon compliance. It is requirements after Ken Nagao, Building Construction Advisory Committee (BCAC) Chairt spoke about the relationship between BCAC and the City. Seven members of the community make up the committee which represents and serves as a sounding board for a broad cross-section of citizens in the construction industry. Most of the complaints which have come to BCAC have revolved around coordination and communication between the Fire Department and the Building Department. Mr. Nagao emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in the application of building codes. Mr. Nagao noted that a plan review audit recently conducted by the State revealed that the City.s building department was reviewing building plans with the same degree of intensity as the State has recommended. The committee itself has also compared our building department with that of Salem and Washington County, and has also concluded that plans are being reviewed similarly. e Mr. Nagao indicated that decreasing the time for building permit issuance is paramountly important across the industry. He noted that developers within the industry that have attended BCAC meetings have indicated that they would support an increase in user fees, if a decrease in plan review time can be attained. Mr. Eveleth pointed out that the method by which the City can MINUTES--Eugene City Council January 31t 1990 Page 4