HomeMy WebLinkAboutA013 - Letter from Merrill Kim Sharp dated December 11, 2010 requsting support for changes to plumbing rules Kim and jan Sharp
1503 Top-0-Hollow Road
Ames IA 50010
11 December 2010 0 L IE
Mr. Riad G. Mahayni DEC 14 2^i0
Post Office Box #811
515 Clark Avenue Carr CLERK
CI?Y OF A.!�1ES.IOWA
Ames IA 50010
Dear Riad:
I would appreciate your support for some suggested changes to the new "plumbing
rules" established by the recently enacted Ames Rental Code.
I specifically refer to the rule to replace existing and working "S" traps, basement
surface drainage, and existing bathroom type fixtures being replaced over inches of
difference in their heights and "required" heights.
I am appalled that hundreds of landlord would be required to replace existing and
working S type drain pipe systems when no one can cite proof that these changes pose a
safety and life threatening situation.
I am concerned that we are attempting to require all "non-hidden" surface draining
plumbing to be replaced with "hidden in the concrete floor" plumbing. I see no safety and
life threatening matter involved in draining water from a shower, washing machine, etc. to a
floor drain. There is not a life-threatening situation that I can imagine that would require this
gray water to be routed to a floor drain —just below the existing concrete floor rather on the
top of the concrete floor.
Of course, there are more plumbing matters for which some cooperative change is
being sought, on the list being presented to the Council by the Ames Rental Association. I do
support the ARA in their quest for cooperation and sanity in these matters.
I do support addressing safety and life threatening matters, but I have a hard time
finding rational benefit-cost support for some of the plumbing changes being proposed.
Sin r ,
Mr. 'll JK darp