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Economic Development Minutes 2009 12-01-09 APPROVED 3/2/10 UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Tuesday, December 1, 2009, 7pm City Conference Room In Attendance: Committee Members Chairman Gary Golinski Alderman Rose Spears Alderman Wally Werderich Other Citv Officials: Community Development Director Travis Miller Code Official Paul Zabel Other Guests: Tony Scott, Kendall County Record Rich Guerard, Wyndham Deerpoint Matthew Beck, IBT Asset Management Michael Hitzemann, BKFD Steven Gregory, NIHBA Bernie Arends, Sprinkler Advisory Board Michael Kainz, Wyndham Deerpoint Homes Lynn Dubajic, YEDC Cheryl Lee CL Design -Build - Adam Dontz, Gladstone Builders The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gary Golinski at 7:00pm. Minutes for Correction /Approval: November 3, 2009 The minutes were approved as read. Items Recommended by Plan Commission for Approval: None New Business: 1. EDC 2009 -53 Building Permit Report for October 2009 There was no discussion. 2. ED 2009 -54 Building Department Inspection Report Summary for October 2009 Alderman Spears commented that the inspection report she had previously requested looked good and was easy to read. Old Business: 1. EDC 2009 -44 Building Code Update Discussion Paul Zabel, City Code Official, said the purpose of the meeting was to share thoughts on the new building codes being considered for adoption. He introduced the guests present at the meeting and Bernie Arends began the discussion by showing 2 videos. One video demonstrated activated sprinklers extinguishing a sprinkler - protected room versus an unprotected room. The other video showed an older home that was retro- fitted with a sprinkler system. 1 Alderman Werderich asked about the various notification systems for alarms. They are alarm services such as ADT, bell inside house that is amplified through the ductwork, horn strobe outside the house and outside bell ringer. Mr. Arends said the preferred method is the alarm agency. Mr. Arends said that the cost of sprinklers in Yorkville is $1.60 to $2.00 per square foot with a total cost of about $5,000 for a 3,000 sq. ft. home. There is an additional cost of $2,500 for a pump and tank if your home has a well. A 3,000 sq. ft. home can be piped in 3 days. A sprinkler system only uses approximately 15 gallons of water versus 250 gallons from the Fire Department. In a typical situation, only 1 sprinkler is activated at one time and is activated by heat. A typical Fire Department response time in Yorkville is 4 -5 minutes. Mr. Arends gave statistics relating to home fires and the number /spacing of hydrants needed on a street where houses have sprinklers. He said that Sugar Grove had recently lowered their insurance rating by requiring sprinklers in all new commercial buildings. Cheryl Lee of CL Design Build, which is an energy star builder since 2000 and a certified green professional, also shared her thoughts. She related her experience with cellulose insulation and said they build homes above and beyond what the codes require. She said the cellulose provides a good seal with the wall and is a recycled newspaper product mixed with borax for mold - retardancy. Their siding is a fiber cement material (non- flammable product). She said if sprinklers are mandated, they should be phased in. She has built one home with a sprinkler system, but most people prefer the monitored security system. Alderman Werderich asked Ms. Lee's opinion of sprinkler systems and she replied that it costs her a much greater amount of money. She added that it could affect home sales for senior citizens or the first time homebuyer. Alderman Werderich commented that the sprinkler issue is a balancing act between saving lives versus the dollar burden. He said if there is a code requiring sprinklers, there should not be incentives or offer incentives only if the homeowner wishes to go beyond the code. Looking at another incentive, Alderman Spears said reduced inspection fees could be offered. Steven Gregory of Northern IL Homebuilder Association and other organizations, shared his opinion on sprinklers. He provided information about electrical standards and energy conservation. He said the 2009 code is an improvement over the 2006 code. Mr. Gregory said that while the population has increased, home fires have decreased partly due to better techniques of home - building. He advocated the idea of allowing the homeowner to make the choice to have a sprinkler system. Fire Chief Hitzemann said a 1 -inch sprinkler pipe is adequate in Yorkville and will provide a more than adequate pressure. He also recommended copper pipe. Mr. Arends added that the way people live today brings more fire risk to their homes —using more plastic and other combustible material in the homes. Alderman Golinski asked about the cost of retro- fitting an older home with a sprinkler system. There are many variables that affect the cost. Mr. Gregory said a system he 2 I i installed in the 1990's cost over $20,000. Ms. Lee said she had installed a retro -fit four years ago at a cost of $5 minimum, per square foot. While insurance companies offer discounts for sprinkler- installed homes, the payback takes many years. Gladstone Homes representative Adam Dontz said he realized the Aldermen were there to represent their constituents the best they could. He said builders mark up whatever systems they place into their homes. He said he is the only active builder in Grande Reserve and he has not sold a home there in over a year. Competition is going to be more fierce due to the economy and he said it must be determined what the market will support at this time Mr. Dontz said he would like to volunteer his time along with Mr. Zabel and others to form an ad hoc committee and look at the entire code. He suggested bi- weekly meetings. He said inspection fees may need to be reduced and he wants to identify the cost of every line item. He said right now a foreclosure home can be purchased for half that of a new construction. People must be able to buy homes here to generate sales tax to support the community. Alderman Werderich asked if there any urgency to passing the new building code. There is no timeline now, but Mr. Zabel said the current rating of 5 with ISO will not improve without adopting the new code. The City can be re- evaluated by request and Chief Hitzemann said the City is close to being rated 4. This improved rating would provide better insurance premiums for residential. The City currently uses the 2000 building code and Mr. Dontz suggested perhaps the City could adopt 2003 or 2006 to achieve the ISO rating of 4. This could also keep the cost j of housing down and allow more time to examine the code. Mr. Arends said the advantage of the 2009 code is that life safety codes that were mandated by the State. Fire Chief Hitzemann then addressed the committee and presented some fire statistics. He also discussed the use of cellulose joists in "green" homes. He said new houses need sprinklers to prevent the heat from reaching those joists because they are failing before they burn. He cannot send firefighters into new homes due to that danger. Mr. Gregory added that burn - through is a big problem with the glued trusses. Hitzemann suggested not using them above unprotected space. j Rich Guerard of Wyndham Deerpoint said the market is relentless at this time and he said the fire sprinkler system is not a perceived value to the buyer. He said builders also cannot afford the sprinklers at this time and they are not realizing any profits right now. He said appraisers will not place a value on sprinkler systems in homes. Sales are being lost to other towns, therefore having an impact on the community as a whole. In summary, Chairman Golinski said this process is a balancing act and a sound decision will require all the facts. This discussion will come back to this committee next month to form a commission. There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned at 9:44pm Minutes respectfully submitted by 3 Marlys Young United City of Yorkville p 800 Game Farm Road 1636 Yorkville, Illinois 60560 E��111 Telephone: 630 -553 -4350 O ®�w ~ � Fax: 630 -553 -7575 � 5 � PLEASE SIGN IN, MEETING: G DATE: c> NAME COMPANY PHONE NUMBER �2- � N 1 X30 .�5 /firfir6 I AKA WVNb"m bEGPJVcnom' 6 -N -I0DO be$ - X0 I d { {