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HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Building Board of Appeals Minutes 07/07/2014 Building Board of Appeals Meeting July 7, 2014 – City Hall Rm 235 1. Call to Order: 4:00 PM by Brad Heemstra, acting chair. A. Roll call: Nathan Werstein, Chuck Haselhoff, Brad Heemstra, Dan Nutini, David Carnes. Larry Cormicle and Larry Brandt were both absent. Staff members present: Jessica Spoden, Seana Perkins, Adam Ostert, Scott Ripperger, Shawn Bayouth. B. Approve minutes of April 7, 2014 meeting: Chuck Haselhoff made motion to approve, David Carnes second. Passed unanimously. 2. Old business: Todd McVey reviewed improvements made to his property at 913 Carroll as required. John Lott, architect with Benjamin Design, confirmed the improvements made and discussed the current condition of the property. Lott mentioned continued concerns regarding the property but stated that the dangerous conditions have been alleviated. Haselhoff asked if the City inspectors have been to the property. Adam Ostert reviewed his onsite inspection on June 30, 2014. Osteret indicated that the roof and structure issues indicated by Lott had been remedied. Lott reviewed and discussed items noted during inspections. Heemstra inquired as to the whether the property will be private residential or rental. McVey noted at this time he plans to keep property as a residence. Jessica Spoden explained motion needed to remove property from dangerous building category. Motion to grant appeal therefore removing property from dangerous building category made by David Carnes, second Chuck Haselhoff. Passed unanimously. 3. New business (MGMC Appeal): Dialogue regarding interpretation of code for project Mary Greeley Medical Center project. Introduction of Richard Cleaveland, architect with Shive-Hattery present on behalf of Mary Greeley Medical Center . Cleveland explained renovation of addition to existing building as it relates to International Building Code (IBC) regarding renovation of shafts to mechanical room. Cleaveland is appealing IBC and requesting that the board determine that the State Life Safety Code does provide adequate requirements regarding safety of the hospital and that it be considered and approved. Ostert discussed his inspection findings during an onsite visit with JE Dunn, the general contractor, which revealed the issue. Heemstra inquired as to the difference between the IBC code and the State Life Safety Code and if other hospitals have similar situations. Cleaveland explained that the IBC requires that the shafts in question be closed at the top where as the State Life Safety Code offers a different interpretation. Cleaveland went on to note that those other jurisdictions, specifically Des Moines and West Des Moines Methodist hospitals, such exemptions were allowed per State Life Safety Code. Dan Nutini inquired as to location of shafts in question. A map of the structure was provided in the agenda packet and was reviewed. Heemstra provided detailed understanding as to the difference between IBC and the State Life Safety Code; Cleaveland confirmed. The shaft in question was identified. Haselhoff inquired as to what the IBC is requiring regarding the closing off of the shaft. Cleaveland and Heemstra explained, per IBC code, specifics regarding what would need to be done at this point during construction to be compliant with IBC. Cleaveland provided photographs which were reviewed by the board. Heemstra indicated that the Board does tend to adopt State codes and regulations. Heemstra reviewed safety concerns with Ostert. Haselhoff confirmed that no immediate safety concerns have been noted; confirmed by Ostert. Heemstra excused himself from voting due to conflict of interest as he is on the Mary Greeley Medical Center Board. Haselhoff inquired as to similar situation going forward with ongoing hospital improvements with mechanical penthouse sitting over shafts and if this situation were to occur again what protocol would be followed. Seana Perkins stated the appeal process would again need to be initiated and reviewed by the Board. Ostert explained, regarding Haselhoff’s inquiry to this situation coming up again, that it is not usual. What is specifically housed in the mechanical penthouse was reviewed and discussed that this is not a common situation based on the addition to the existing building. Nathan Werstein inquired regarding verbiage of State Fire Life Safety Code, specifically that the SFLSC is a 2000 version of the code and the IBC is a 2009 version of its code. Cleaveland explained that this application of the Life Safety Code only pertains to hospitals and in law the State of Iowa notes only the 2000 edition, further explaining how this edition is a federal Medicare mandate and Medicare has not updated this code since 2000. The State of Iowa has adopted the IBC as a reflection of its building codes as it applies to all other commercial buildings. Jessica Spoden noted Life Safety Code is only applied to this specific situation as pertains to the hospital for this specific project; otherwise 2009 IBC code applies. Seana Perkins discussed timing and code as applies currently per IBC. Heemstra notes as this is specific to this situation and to Mary Greeley only, there is no need for the board to adopt the Fire Life Safety Code. Spoden inquires if the State Life Safety Code applies only to a hospital. Cleaveland noted all medical care facilities, confirmed by Ostert. It was noted this would include any facility that falls under and adheres to the Medicare guidelines. Motion to approve appeal made by Haselhoff, second by Nutini. Motion passed unanimously. 4. Board or staff comments: None 5. Motion to adjourn made by David Carnes, second by Nutini. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 4:26 PM.