Building Code Update Minutes 2011 02-09-11
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
BUILDING CODE UPDATE COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 6:30 p.m.
City Council Conference Room
800 Game Farm Rd.
Yorkville, IL 60560
Committee Members in Attendance:
Alderman Rose Spears
Fire Marshal Jeremy Canavan, Chairman
Alderman Joe Plocher
Don Duffy
Richard Scheffrahn
Adam Dontz
Lynn Dubajic
City Officials in Attendance:
Krysti Barksdale-Noble, Community Development Director
Paul Zabel, Building Code Official
Guests in Attendance
Greg Marker
Meeting Called to Order
Meeting was called to order at 6:42 p.m.
Roll Call
Roll call was taken a quorum was established.
2009 International Residential Code
Mr. Zabel read the proposed amendment Section R105.2 was read. All one story detached
structures which exceeds 100 square feet require permit.
Alderman Plocher moved to approve, seconded by Mr. Dontz. Roll call vote taken, motion
carried unanimously.
Mr. Zabel read the proposed definition of “fence.” An enclosure or barrier erected for the
purpose of providing a boundary, protection, privacy screening or a decorative or ornamental
gate. Alderman Plocher moved to accept the definition for fence; Fire Marshal Canavan
seconded the motion.
Discussion
Mr. Duffy stated his opposition to permitting a decorative or ornamental structure such as an
arbor or trellis. The committee discussed permanency as a guideline to require permit.
Alderman Plocher amended his motion to add the language “permanent” before the word
enclosure. Fire Marshal Canavan seconded the motion. A Roll call vote taken, motion carried
unanimously.
2009 International Building Code
Section 101.1 Title
Mr. Zabel proposed inserting the name of the jurisdiction, United City of Yorkville.
Fire Marshal Canavan moved to approve inserting the name of the jurisdiction, Alderman Spears
seconded the motion. Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Section 105.2 Work Exempt from Permit
Mr. Zabel explained that the proposed amendment reflects the same information as in the 2009
International Residential Code.
Alderman Plocher made the motion to approve, seconded by Mr. Dontz.
Discussion
The section referred to the types of fences which require permit. Mr. Scheffrahn pointed out that
the section refers to commercial fences and suggested compromising at a height of four feet.
Roll call vote did not carry.
Aye:
Nay: Duffy, Scheffrahn, Dontz, Dubajic, Canavan, Plocher, Spears .
Mr. Scheffrahn made the motion to approve Section 105.2 with the exception of 4 foot high
fences instead of fences 6 feet in height or taller requiring permit. Mr. Dontz seconded the
motion.
Roll call vote taken, motion carried unanimously.
Section 1612.3 Establishment of Flood Hazard Areas
Mr. Zabel explained as the City of Yorkville does not have its own flood maps, the name of
jurisdiction inserted in the section should be Kendall County, and the date of February 4, 2009
the most current FEMA provided map.
Mr. Dontz made the motion to accept. Mr. Scheffrahn stated any new map would have to be
voted to amend the section. Alderman Plocher moved to strike the date and insert the language
“most current”. Fire Marshal Canavan seconded. Ms. Dubajic suggested inserting “the most
current FEMA flood insurance map”. Alderman Plocher amends his motion to accept this
language. Fire Marshal Canavan seconded the motion.
Discussion
Mr. Dontz queried if an accepted flood map could be replaced by a more current map in the
middle of a project. Ms. Dubajic explained with this language the current map would be
applicable. Mr. Zabel stated that FEMA might have the power to override the City’s jurisdiction.
Roll call vote was taken.
Aye: Canavan
Nay: Dontz, Scheffrahn, Dubajic, Plocher and Spears
Abstain: Duffy
Ms. Dubajic made the motion to accept Section 1612.3 inserting the name of the jurisdiction as
“Kendall County” and the date of “February 4, 2009”. Alderman Plocher seconded the motion.
Ms. Noble explained that only a governmental entity can request a change to an existing flood
map with a letter of map revision or LOMAR. If an individual made a request for a flood map
change the governmental entity would then investigate and make a recommendation, FEMA
would make a site analysis, then the decision is proposed as a Conditional Letter of Map
Revision or CLOMAR
Roll call vote was taken, motion carried.
Aye: Dontz, Scheffrahn, Duffy, Dubajic, Plocher
Nay: Canavan, Spears
Section 2901.1
Mr. Zabel explained that he added Illinois State Plumbing Code in addition to the International
Plumbing Code and removed private sewage disposal systems from the code. The City is not
planning to adopt a private sewage disposal code; Kendall County regulates private sewage
disposal systems.
Mr. Dontz moved to accept, Mr. Scheffrahn seconded, motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Section 3002.4 Elevators
Fire Marshal Canavan explained this section addresses the size of an elevator in order to
accommodate ambulance stretchers in structures exceeding two stories and to also require the
“Star of Life” sign to let the emergency crews know which elevator would accommodate a
stretcher. Mr. Scheffrahn asked if this would apply to single family homes and was told that
single family homes were exempted from this section.
Fire Marshal Canavan moved to accept Section 3002.4, Mr. Scheffrahn seconded the motion.
Roll call vote was taken.
Aye: Scheffrahn, Canavan, Spears
Nay: Dontz, Duffy, Dubajic, Plocher
Discussion
Ms. Noble commented that the point of view expressed by the committee is concerned with
retrofitting existing buildings and bringing in new business to the City. She stated that the code
adopted by the city has to be at best the most we can do for life safety. Historically developers
and builders have come on line when the codes are changing.
Mr. Scheffrahn asked if the Smith Engineering Building’s elevators accommodate stretchers. Ms
Dubajic answered in the affirmative. The committee discussed new commercial buildings
already in compliance of the 2009 Code.
Ms. Dubajic read the motion to approve Section 3002.4 to include language to exempt single
family homes or existing buildings with elevators. Mr. Scheffrahn seconded the motion.
Roll call vote was taken and the motion carried.
Aye: Dontz, Scheffrahn, Dubajic, Canavan, Plocher, Spears
Nay: Duffy
2009 Existing Building Code
Fire Marshal Canavan moved to accept as written, Ms. Dubajic seconded.
Discussion
Mr. Zabel explained that this code expands on Chapter 11 of the 2009 International Building
Code and clarifies and identifies specific situations, allowing the developer more flexibility in
meeting codes and requirements. Mr. Zabel identified the three methods as prescriptive
compliance, work area compliance and performance compliance.
Fire Marshal Canavan asked if the Code Official can prescribe the method used. Mr. Zabel
answered that the Code Official does have some leeway in approving which method is used.
Roll call vote was taken and the motion carried.
Aye: Scheffrahn, Duffy, Dubajic, Canavan, Plocher, Spears
Nay:
Abstain: Dontz
2008 National Electric Code
Mr. Zabel explained the NEC is more detailed than the ICC Codes and is published by the
NFPA, a family of codes. He hadn’t offered any amendments because of the technical details of
the code. Mr. Scheffrahn asked if there were amendments to the 2002 NEC. The amendments
were read; electric board was deleted in its entirety, penalties were deleted, inspector
qualifications were deleted, the jurisdiction was inserted, acceptance date was also deleted. Fire
Marshal Canavan discussed the reference in the 2002 NEC to NFPA80 which releases the City
of Yorkville from liability. Mr. Zabel told the committee that liability issues are referenced in the
other codes and in his opinion the 2008 NEC should be adopted as written.
Mr. Marker stated that his expert could not be present at the meeting but had wanted to speak
about the GFI/arc faults and the expense that it would add to a project. Mr. Dontz voiced his
concern about approving the 2008 NEC without additional expert analysis for the committee to
study. Alderman Spears asked for documentation on the major changes. Alderman Plocher
suggested that a union electrician speak to the committee.
Mr. Dontz made the motion to table 2008 NEC until March 21, 2011, Mr. Scheffrahn seconded
the motion.
Discussion
Ms. Noble explained the timing to adopt the new codes; staff compiles all the codes and presents
a comprehensive memo to the City Attorney for review, then it goes to the EDC, then a public
hearing followed by presentation to City Council. This process will take 6-10 weeks. Mr. Dontz
asked if the committee can present everything but the electric code to council. He was told that
the city administrator would make that decision.
Unanimous voice vote to table discussion of the 2008 NEC carries.
Mr. Dontz made the motion for staff to request the committee to see the code adoption process
through to completion. Mr. Scheffrahn seconded the motion.
Discussion
The committee reviewed the procedure for submitting to city council.
Motion carried by unanimous voice vote.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Next meeting March 21, 2011.
Respectfully submitted by: D Weinert