Public Hearings 16.
Regular Board of Supervisors Meeting
Community Development
- Meeting Date:
- 01/27/2015
- Title:
- Adopt 2012 Cochise County Building Safety Code
- Submitted By:
- Beverly Wilson, Community Development
- Department:
- Community Development
- Division:
- Planning & Zoning
Presentation:
PowerPoint
Recommendation:
Approve
Document Signatures:
BOS Signature Required
# of ORIGINALS
Submitted for Signature:
Submitted for Signature:
1
NAME
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Beverly Wilson
TITLE
of PRESENTER:
of PRESENTER:
Planning Director
Mandated Function?:
Not Mandated
Source of Mandate
or Basis for Support?:
or Basis for Support?:
Docket Number (If applicable):
Information
Agenda Item Text:
Adopt Resolution 15-03 the 2012 Edition of the International Building Safety Code and other related codes including addendums and edits as set forth in Exhibit A.
Background:
I. Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board
At their annual meeting on September 9, 2014, the Cochise County Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board discussed Docket BC-14-02, staff’s proposal to adopt the 2012 Series of I-Codes, commonly known as the Cochise County Building Safety Code. They voted unanimously to send a recommendation for approval to the Board of Supervisors including staff is proposed changes.
The BCAAB also recommended the addition of the International Property Maintenance Code to this suite of codes, as it would be beneficial throughout the County in dealing with blighted properties. Staff has completed further investigation into the implications of adopting this Code, and is recommending that the Board consider the Property Maintenance Code separately from Docket R-15-01at a later date.
II. Background
On December 14, 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 04-117 which included the adoption of a revised fee schedule and an implementation schedule for the Building Codes. The Code Council wrote the International Building Codes in a manner that allows jurisdictions to amend the codes to more accurately reflect local construction practices. Exhibit D of the 2004 Resolution outlined each amendment to the International Code Series to reflect Cochise County’s specific requirements, practices and vernacular.
The Board of Supervisors held a Work Session on December 2, 2014 to discuss the adoption of the 2012 I-Code Series with staff. Supervisors English and Searle were present and learned that both Sierra Vista and Benson have adopted this updated set of Codes. Staff has garnered support from architects, design professionals, homebuilders and other contractors who currently use this code within the jurisdictional limits. Mr. Mike Izzo, Building Official, also informed the Board of Supervisors that the International Codes are updated for consistency and clarification every three years. The cost in training staff and in purchasing the required Code Books is the major reason that staff has waited to move forward to the 2012 Codes, choosing to by-pass both the 2006 and 2009 Codes. The 2015 Codes are currently in-cycle and being developed for a release later this year. By adopting the 2012 Code series Cochise County can benefit from the experiences of those jurisdictions that adopt the new 2015codes immediately upon their release. For example the Sierra Vista City Council recently reversed their adoption of the 2012 Energy Code, reverting to the to the 2006 Codes when it was determined that the newer code was cost prohibitive. Staff is proposing to use this experience and to follow suit by deleting the cost prohibitive language also.
In each update of the Code Series, the language is simplified and new building materials are identified and added. The ongoing use of the Codes and the experiences that contractors relay to the Code Council are the basis for updating these documents. It is staff’s goal to assist the development community as much as possible and staff believes the adoption of the 2012 Codes will be a benefit to them.
The 2004 Adoption included a three-phase implementation schedule. For this update however, staff is not recommending a phased implementation but rather is requesting that this adoption be mandated countywide beginning June 1, 2015. This will allow sufficient time for staff training, and an opportunity to prepare the development community for this update.
Staff was directed during a work session in 2013, to combine all fees being charged by the Planning Division into an easy to understand schedule. The proposed Cochise County Planning, Zoning, and Building Safety Fee Schedule, including the Building Code Fees, the Environmental Health Fees, and all of the fees previously adopted by the Board for the Planning Division is nearly complete. It will be presented to the Board with a separate Resolution for consideration at a later date.
III. Public Input
The proposed adoption of the 2012 Series of International Codes was advertised on the Agenda of the Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board. No members of the public attended the September meeting and to date staff has received one inquiry regarding content of these codes, with no comment thus far.
V. Conclusion
Staff is recommending that the Board of Supervisors consider adopting the 2012 International Building Codes and other related codes as amended, to be known as the Cochise County Building Safety Code, with an implementation date of June 1, 2015.
VI. Attachments
At their annual meeting on September 9, 2014, the Cochise County Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board discussed Docket BC-14-02, staff’s proposal to adopt the 2012 Series of I-Codes, commonly known as the Cochise County Building Safety Code. They voted unanimously to send a recommendation for approval to the Board of Supervisors including staff is proposed changes.
The BCAAB also recommended the addition of the International Property Maintenance Code to this suite of codes, as it would be beneficial throughout the County in dealing with blighted properties. Staff has completed further investigation into the implications of adopting this Code, and is recommending that the Board consider the Property Maintenance Code separately from Docket R-15-01at a later date.
II. Background
On December 14, 2004, the Board of Supervisors approved Resolution 04-117 which included the adoption of a revised fee schedule and an implementation schedule for the Building Codes. The Code Council wrote the International Building Codes in a manner that allows jurisdictions to amend the codes to more accurately reflect local construction practices. Exhibit D of the 2004 Resolution outlined each amendment to the International Code Series to reflect Cochise County’s specific requirements, practices and vernacular.
The Board of Supervisors held a Work Session on December 2, 2014 to discuss the adoption of the 2012 I-Code Series with staff. Supervisors English and Searle were present and learned that both Sierra Vista and Benson have adopted this updated set of Codes. Staff has garnered support from architects, design professionals, homebuilders and other contractors who currently use this code within the jurisdictional limits. Mr. Mike Izzo, Building Official, also informed the Board of Supervisors that the International Codes are updated for consistency and clarification every three years. The cost in training staff and in purchasing the required Code Books is the major reason that staff has waited to move forward to the 2012 Codes, choosing to by-pass both the 2006 and 2009 Codes. The 2015 Codes are currently in-cycle and being developed for a release later this year. By adopting the 2012 Code series Cochise County can benefit from the experiences of those jurisdictions that adopt the new 2015codes immediately upon their release. For example the Sierra Vista City Council recently reversed their adoption of the 2012 Energy Code, reverting to the to the 2006 Codes when it was determined that the newer code was cost prohibitive. Staff is proposing to use this experience and to follow suit by deleting the cost prohibitive language also.
In each update of the Code Series, the language is simplified and new building materials are identified and added. The ongoing use of the Codes and the experiences that contractors relay to the Code Council are the basis for updating these documents. It is staff’s goal to assist the development community as much as possible and staff believes the adoption of the 2012 Codes will be a benefit to them.
The 2004 Adoption included a three-phase implementation schedule. For this update however, staff is not recommending a phased implementation but rather is requesting that this adoption be mandated countywide beginning June 1, 2015. This will allow sufficient time for staff training, and an opportunity to prepare the development community for this update.
Staff was directed during a work session in 2013, to combine all fees being charged by the Planning Division into an easy to understand schedule. The proposed Cochise County Planning, Zoning, and Building Safety Fee Schedule, including the Building Code Fees, the Environmental Health Fees, and all of the fees previously adopted by the Board for the Planning Division is nearly complete. It will be presented to the Board with a separate Resolution for consideration at a later date.
III. Public Input
The proposed adoption of the 2012 Series of International Codes was advertised on the Agenda of the Building Code Advisory and Appeals Board. No members of the public attended the September meeting and to date staff has received one inquiry regarding content of these codes, with no comment thus far.
V. Conclusion
Staff is recommending that the Board of Supervisors consider adopting the 2012 International Building Codes and other related codes as amended, to be known as the Cochise County Building Safety Code, with an implementation date of June 1, 2015.
VI. Attachments
Department's Next Steps (if approved):
The Planning Division of Community Development will finish training for implementing the 2012 I-Codes on June 1, 2015.
Impact of NOT Approving/Alternatives:
The County Building Safety Division will continue to enforce the adopted 2003 Building Safety Codes.
To BOS Staff: Document Disposition/Follow-Up:
Please provide a copy of the recorded Resolution.