Construction Board of Adjustment Minutes - 09/17/2001Construction Board of Adjustment and
September 17, 2001
Board Members Present:
Randal Poteet (Chairman)
Gary Oatman (Vice Chairman)
Jackie Lebow
John Ferguson
Bill Rowland
Brian Walser
Louis Lane
Phil Ringman
Board Members Absent:
David Rhone (Alternate)
Mr. Poteet opened the meeting at 2:05 PM.
RECEIVED IN
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
Date
By Time
Others Present:
Harold Hawkins (Council Liason)
Dave Clark (Director)
Rich Shirey (Building Official)
Brad Scates (Chief Electrical Inspector)
Bill Sullivan (City Attorney)
Richard Koetter (Armored Roofing)
Charles Barr (President, North Texas
Home Builders Association)
Nathan Brown
Ruby Ditto
Dan Savage
The meeting was held at the request of City Council to further review the recommendation for any
changes regarding contractor licensing requirements, which also affects who can obtain a building
permit.
Mr. Poteet began the meeting, suggesting a review from front to back of the proposed ordinance
changes. The first issue discussed was the license issue. After discussion, it was decided that it
was important to maintain the recommendation that affected contractors be required to take a test by
a national code agency. Language concerning the code agency was revised. Contractors holding a
current license will be exempt. A 30 -day grace period would be allowed to renew a license, if it
lapsed, without taking the test. All active license holders before October 2, will be grand - fathered
in.
It was also discussed in great length about the guidelines on Electrical, Plumbing, Mechanical and
Building Maintenance workers and the work they may do with or without a license. Much of the
guidelines are a part of State law.
Revisions were reviewed about regulations regarding non - occupant owner construction activities.
This would allow an owner that does not live in the house but owns it to construct accessory
buildings. They would not be required to obtain a license, but a permit may be necessary. A permit
provides a needed review to check setback compliance and to assure proper installation. Consensus
developed from the Board that structural and certain mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work„
within the living space of the dwelling, should still be completed by a licensed contractor.
F
It was concluded that bonds for sign, paving, house moving, demolition, excavation, and irrigation
contractors be discontinued. They will still be required to obtain General Liability Insurance in the
amount of $100,000.
The Maintenance worker shall be defined as: "a regular bonified employee of an owner ", as
opposed to an independent contractor, who performs maintenance work.
Wording that covers exemption from permitting requirements was also reviewed in detail. The
work that will be exempt from permitting will be as follows:
1. Electrical work involving the repair or replacement of existing electrical apparatus, existing
lighting fixtures and existing plugs and switches.
2. Plumbing work involving the stopping of leaks in drains water, soil, waste or vent pipes;
provided, however, that if any concealed traps, drainpipe, water, soil, waste or vent pipe
needs to be removed and replaced with new material, such work shall be considered as new
work, and a permit shall be obtained, and inspection made, to ensure code compliance.
3. The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves or fixtures and the removal
and reinstallation of water closets, provided such repairs do not involve or require the rearrangement
of valves, pipes or fixtures.
4. Mechanical work involving the following activities:
a. Portable heating appliances
b. Portable ventilation appliances
c. Portable cooling units
d. Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment
e. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval or equipment or to make
such equipment unsafe.
5. Gas work involving any portable heating, cooking or clothes - drying appliances.
6. Building work involving the following activities:
a. Repair of damages sheet rock. This does not include areas of required means of
egress, rated walls or removal of sheet rock due to damage from water, mold
problems, fire or termite damage.
b. Replacement of any existing door, door casing and door hardware.
c. Replacement of windows as long as the framing is not changed and is in sound
condition.
d. Repair of damaged siding, fascia or soffit as long as the area does not exceed 1 /10 of
the building's siding. (This area is calculated on area of same.) This does not include
damage caused by water, mold, fire or termites.
V.
e. Repair of torn shingles or patching when no tear -off is required. (This does not
include overlay.)
f. Any Cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
g. Painting, carpeting, and similar cosmetic work.
h. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to a one -or -two family dwelling.
i. Sidewalks and drives not more than 30 inches above adjacent grad and not over any
basement or story below.
A summation of the overall proposed changes was completed. And a motion made by Bill Rowland,
seconded by Jackie Lebow to recommend these to City Council. The motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM.
Randal Poteet, Chairman