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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006/02/13 Board of Appeals & Advisors Minutes MINUTES OFA REGULAR MEETING BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADVISORS CITY OF CHULA VISTA, CALIFORNIA February 13, 2006 Council Conference Room No. C-101 5:15 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Romo (5:35pm), Vice Chair Monahan, Members Flach, Snider, Monaghan and Buddingh MEMBERS ABSENT: None MEMBERS ABSTAINING: None CITY STAFF PRESENT: Brad Remp, Building Official, Tom Nikzad, Plan Check Supervisor, and Judi Bell, Recording Secretary OTHERS PRESENT: None CALL MEETING TO ORDER: Vice Chairman Monaghan called the meeting to order at 5:20 p.m. ROLL CALL: Members present constituted a quorum. 1. DECLARATION OF EXCUSED/UNEXCUSED ABSENTEEISM: None 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: MSU Snider/Monaghan (5-0) to approve the minutes of regular meeting of September 12, 2005. 3. NEW BUSINESS: A. Addition of Climate Zone 10 -Higher Energy Standards for eastern Chula Vista: Brad Remp, Building Official and Tom Nikzad, Plan Check Supervisor, presented an overview showing a map which reflected delineation of Zones 7 and 10 in the City of Chula Vista designating climate zones. Chula Vista previously was all in Zone 7 in the California Energy Codes. Recently maps have been published that specifically identify where the boundary lines are between the zones. Because of the overall expansion of the community, portions in the far eastern areas of Chula Vista are now identified as being in an area designated Zone 10. Zone 10 is further from the coast and is less temperate and has higher average temperatures. There are also fluctuations in those temperatures. As a result, the requirements for energy conservation are more restrictive in that Zone 10 area. We have not publicized this yet. We are identifying the specific date on which we will advise applicants about the different zone when they come in for permits, etc. The owners of the property will be getting additional energy conservation measures incorporated in their structures. Some of the requirements are not that much different, but the developers need to know now. One of the other areas that will be impacted are areas that have existing houses. When it becomes time to change out the air conditioning or the heating unit, the existing duct work has to be tested to confirm that it doesn't leak over a certain amount. Currently the amount is a maximum of 6% or in the case of existing buildings it is an improvement over what it was before. But, generally speaking everything new in Zone 10 is going to need to comply with these new requirements. Chula Vista has always been environmentally sensitive and promotes energy conservation. Board of Appeals and Advisors - Page Two February 13, 2006 Therefore, once we became aware of the two zones, the appropriate thing to do was to implement as quickly as possible. Tom Nikzad presented an overview of what the requirements are. He distributed a handout with tables which showed the comparison of the energy requirements for low-rise residential buildings between Zone 7 and Zone 10. These are: • Insulation Minimums: for the two zones, the insulation minimum is the same except that Zone 7 does not require a Radiant Barrier (the plywood used for sheeting) and Zone 10 requires it. Roofing makes a difference, i.e. with tile, less heatwill dissipate into the roofing material. There is an anti-radiant paint and also a film which can be applied to plywood to help keep heat out. • Fenestration (arrangement of windows in a building): Glazing of glass which affects the amount of light which comes through the windows. In the Zone 10, windows will let less UV rays and heat in. • Thermal Mass: (heavy (stone, concrete slab) and light (tile on counter cabinets or wood for flooring). • Space-Heating: Electric is not allowed and gas efficiency is minimal requirement. We generally get high efficiency with gas. • Space Cooling: Seasonal Efficiency Energy Rating is minimal. • Ducts: Duct system may be the most important rule. They need to be sealed. It is a requirement for Zone 7 and Zone 10. In order not to have to have sealed ducts, you would have to have the higher seasonal energy efficiency in the Space Cooling category. If one was to go down the line and do all of these features then it is deemed to comply. An engineer would be needed if a "mix and match" was desired. In the past five or six years, energy conservaticn has been modified to be more restrictive by approximately 25%. The requirements are in effect as of October 2005. W e propose to contact the developers to explain the new zone to them so they can start planning for it now. Each development will be identifed by their zones. This way when they come in for their permits, they will know in advance. Also, Planning and Building has a newsletter which comes out quarterly. This information will be made public in the newsletter. Adoption of the International Building Code with the California Building Code amendments is scheduled to be adopted and become effective on or about January 2008. There'is still work to be done in working with State agencies and task forces to help provide some modifications. It is an aggressive schedule. There is a strong push to delay adopting the 2003 version of the Plumbing Code which questions the Uniform Plumbing Code and Uniform Mechanical Code. If it can be delayed, then the 2006 version of the Plumbing and Mechanical Code can be adapted. There are not enough staff at state level to push these items any faster. The 2006 is a different code with different philosophies and staff training is required. We're sending our staff to training now. The Urban W ildlife Interface Code is being worked on. We're waiting for numbers from the consultant to get overall costs. When the City's Open Space was setup, there was no maintenance program with it. Because of the fires that occurred in 2003, the brush in those areas have to be managed in order to protect the adjacent properties. We are working on plans to do that and we also looking at building construction requirements for the actual buildings that are along those rims. 4. MEMBERS' COMMENTS: Mr. Snider announced that this will be his last meeting. He is moving to Arkansas. Mr. Snider stated that being on the Board of Appeals has helped him to have a better Board of Appeals and Advisors - Page Three February 13, 2006 understanding of the permit process. He has seen many changes and will continue to "keep an eye" on Chula Vista's development. 5. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS/REPORT: None 6. BUILDING OFFICIAL'S COMMENTS/REPORT: Planning and Building will be moving to temporary offices (old PD building) on February 15, 2006. The Public Services Building will be renovated. At the end of renovation, there will be one centralized counter. This renovation is estimated to take a year. There are now three openings on the Board of Appeals and Advisors and each member was encouraged to promote membership to anyone who might be interested in a seat. We are also in the process of staffing the Access Board of Appeals which relates to disabled access. This board was set up by an ordinance several years ago, but has never been staffed. In a report that was provided recently, there is a discussion which states that at least 20% of the population of Chula Vista has some form of disability. The makeup of the Access Board of Appeals requires that a minimum of two members be disabled. Other members will be in the construction areas and the general public. Some of the existing apartment complexes require modification to accommodate the disabled. Generally, the federal requirements only apply to new construction. The enforcement mechanism for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in California is the federal government. We are responsible for enforcing codes for California requirements. They are similar, but there are some exceptions. Unless existing buildings are modified, additional accessibility upgrades are not required. A number of these facilities that have been in business for a long time did not undergo any renovations or modifications that it took to require a permit. They are in compliance with California code, but they may not be in compliance with the ADA because the ADA has a higher standard which says if it's feasible to do it you shall do it. We are looking to take a leadership role in looking at accessibility problems. 7. COMMUNICATIONS (PUBLIC REMARKS/WRITTENCORRESPONDENCE): Planning and Building has a newsletter which is published quarterly. The members of the board were asked to furnish their email address so they could receive the newsletter each time. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Romo adjourned the meeting at 6:10 p.m. to a regular meeting in the Housing Conference Room on March 13, 2006. BRAD REMP, C.B.O. ASST. DIR. OF PLANNI & BUILDING /BUILDING OFFICIAL SECRET~ARYA TO THE BOARD OF APPEALS AND ADVISORS 5~it~. MINUT TAKEN BY: JUDIBELL,SECRETARY PLANNING & BUILDING DEPARTMENT (J:\ Board of Appeals & Advisors FY 2005-2006\02.132006m.doc)