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Home My WebLink About1997-06-10AGENDA CITY OF GRAPEVINE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE 10, 1997, AT 6:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 2ND FLOOR 200 SOUTH MAIN STREET GRAPEVINE, TEXAS I. CALL TO ORDER II. NEW BUSINESS A. BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING RELATIVE TO BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE BBA97-01, SUBMITTED BY STEVE AMBROSE FOR 2937 CRESTLINE DRIVE AND CONSIDERATION OF SAME B. BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING RELATIVE TO BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS CASE BBA97-04, SUBMITTED BY DOUG JOHNSON, INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS INTERNATIONAL FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4051 STATE HIGHWAY 121 NORTH, SUITE #200, AND CONSIDERATION OF SAME C. BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS TO CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING RELATIVE TO CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTION OF 1994 UNIFORM BUILDING CODE AND 1994 UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE III. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS AND/OR DISCUSSION IV. MINUTES BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS TO CONSIDER THE MINUTES OF THE MAY 13, 1997, MEETING V. ADJOURNMENT' IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS PUBLIC MEETING AND YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THAT REQUIRES SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS AT THE MEETING, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OFFICES AT 817/251-2632. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE MADE TO ASSIST YOUR NEEDS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, CHAPTER 551.001 ET SEQ. ACTS OF THE 1993 TEXAS LEGISLATURE, THE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING AGENDA WAS PREPARED AND POSTED ON THIS THE 6TH DAY OF JUNE, 1997, AT 5:00 P.M. UI ING OFFICIAL STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF TARRANT CITY OF GRAPEVINE The Building Board of Appeals for the City of Grapevine, Texas, met in regular session, Tuesday, June 10, 1997, at 6:00 P.M., in the Council Room, 200 South Main Street, Grapevine, Texas with the following members present: Joe Lipscomb Chairman Art Gordon Member Dennis Roberts Member Charles Bloomberg Member Russell Kidd Member constituting a quorum. Also present was Council Representative Roy Stewart and the following City Staff: Scott Williams Building Official Tim Fleming Plans Examiner/Field Coordinator Raj Sharma Plans Examiner Jim VanTreese Building Inspector Bill Thompson Building Inspector Bret Shipley Building Inspector Tracy Gross Building Inspector Jerry Cool Building Inspector Chairman Joe Lipscomb called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. The first item of new business was for the Building Board of Appeals to consider Building Board of Appeals Case BBA97-01, submitted by Steve Ambrose for 2937 Crestline Drive, Lot 3, Block 6, Woodland Hills Addition. The request was to the Grapevine Code of Ordinances, Section 7-126, Side Yard Requirements, which limits the height of a fence to a maximum of eight (8) feet in any side yard or along any side lot line, to allow a ten (10) foot high fence along the west property line as shown on the plot plan. Mr. Williams explained that this case was brought before the Board in April and was tabled because no one was present to represent the case. Mr. Williams informed the Board that Mr. Ambrose requested that the Building Board of Appeals consider the case be withdrawn. BBA MINUTES 6/10/97 With no one to speak concerning the case, Dennis Roberts made a motion to close the public hearing. Russell Kidd seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Lipscomb, Gordon, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Absent: None Charles Bloomberg then made a motion to withdraw Building Board of Appeals Case BBA97-01, submitted by Steve Ambrose. Art Gordon seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Lipscomb, Gordon, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Absent: None The next item of new business was for the Building Board of Appeals to consider BBA97-04, submitted by Doug Johnson of Industrial Developments International for 4051 State Highway 121 North, Suite 200. The request was to City of Grapevine Code of Ordinances 82-73, Chapter 7, Article IV, Fences: Section 7-127, Front Yard Requirements which prohibits the erection of fences exceeding 36 inches in height in a required or established front yard. Mr. Williams explained that the request was to allow a fence to remain in the established front yard as shown on the plot plan. Mr. Williams also explained that the fence was erected without permit approval from the Building Inspection Department. A permit application was submitted on January 30, 1997, and was denied by the Building Department due to the fence being located in the established front yard. The contractor was notified that the fence permit could not be approved and in March, the Building Official observed that the fence had been installed. John Linebaugh, Director of Leasing for Industrial Development International, thanked the Board for hearing their case and explained that the fence was constructed prior to a fence permit. Mr. Linebaugh explained that he was not aware a permit was needed. Mr. Linebaugh further explained that the eight foot vinyl coated capped fence was of high quality and intended for security. Mr. Linebaugh explained that it was important for their night shift employees, who work at the back of the building, to have security. Mr. Linebaugh also noted that the fence and the additional landscaping would further screen the truck docks and aprons. 2 BBA MINUTES 6/10/97 Charles Bloomberg explained that he was concerned of similar requests being requested in that area with fences all along the highway. Joe Lipscomb expressed that fencing and landscaping could present a more desirable situation than having the truck aprons visible. Scott Williams added that IDI submitted revised landscaping plans to his office the day the packets were mailed out, and therefore no comment had been included on the staff memo concerning landscaping. With no one else to speak either for or against the request, Art Gordon made a motion to close the public hearing. Charles Bloomberg seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Lipscomb, Gordon, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Absent: None Charles Bloomberg made a motion to allow the eight foot fence in the front yard as required with conditions that landscaping shown on plans be installed within one month of issuance of the fence permit. Dennis Roberts seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Lipscomb, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Abstain: Gordon Absent: None Mr. Williams discussed with the Board proposed code amendments for handrails in residential and commercial facilities and noted that he would try to have a copy of the proposed amendment at their next meeting. Mr. Williams also discussed the possibility for elimination of handicap requirements entirely; that City reviewed inspections of handicap requirements were redundant with State and Federal Law. Mr. Williams provided a memo from Tim Denihan with Drees Homes requesting that the Board approve the adoption of the 1994 U.B.C. and for the Board to consider increasing the acceptable size of handrails in residences. He also passed out a letter from the Tarrant County Builders Association requesting larger handrails in residences. 3 BBA MINUTES 6/10/97 Mr. Williams passed around different sizes of handrails for the Board to examine. Mr. Williams noted that 1 1/2" to 2" diameter rails comply with the code. Mr. Williams noted that the builders typically desire larger rails for appearance, and that most adults like the feel of a larger size. Mr. Williams stated that the Board might consider allowing larger rails in single family and two family residences only, perhaps 1 1/2" to 2 1/2" diameter. Mr. Williams next addressed handrail sizes for occupancies other than single and two family residences. He stated that the Building Code currently allows 1 1/2" - 2" diameter rails. The Texas Accessibility Standards require 1 1/4" to 1 1/2". The 1997 Building Code would allow 1 1/4" to 2". Mr. Williams stated that in order to make the 1997 U.B.C. consistent with the T.A.S., an amendment should be considered requiring handrails to be 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" in diameter. There was question from the Board concerning the term "nominal diameter" regarding handrail sizes in the T.A.S. Mr. Williams stated that he would contact the State for an interpretation prior to the next meeting. Mr. Williams also noted that he would try to have a draft ordinance adopting and amending the 1997 U.B.C. With no further discussion, Charles Bloomberg made a motion to close the public hearing. Art Gordon seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Lipscomb, Gordon, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Absent: None Next the Building Board of Appeals considered the minutes of the May 13, 1997, meeting. Charles Bloomberg made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 13, 1997, meeting. Dennis Roberts seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: Ayes: Lipscomb, Gordon, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Absent: None With no further business, Dennis Roberts made a motion to adjourn. Russell Kidd seconded the motion which prevailed by the following vote: 0 BBA MINUTES 6/10/97 Ayes: Lipscomb, Gordon, Roberts, Bloomberg, Kidd Nays: None Absent: None The meeting was adjourned at 6:55 P.M. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE BUILDING BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE CITY OF GRAPEVINE, TEXAS, ON THE Li DAY OF 1997. 61 5 CHAIRMAN`)