ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and the Community Development Director with a Request to ADOPT an ORDINANCE Amending CHAPTER 5 of the City of Peoria CODE Pertaining to BUILDING CODES Based on the Recommendation of the Construction Commission to Adopt the 2012 ICC International Existing Building Code.
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BACKGROUND: For approximately the last year, the Construction Commission has been studying the adoption of 2012 building codes to replace the 2006 building codes currently being enforced.
The Construction Commission conducted multiple public meetings and heard from local trade organizations, the Peoria Area Association of Realtors, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, and the Home Builders Association.
The Construction Commission voted 8-0 to approve the adoption of the following codes:
2012 International Existing Building Code
An amendment was proposed by the Downtown Development Corporation relating to live/work spaces. The Construction Commission accepted the amendment. The proposed amendment is attached.
Please note: This is a first reading of only the Existing Building Code. It was not included in the family of codes that previously came before Council in a first reading as it had not been recommended by the Construction Commission at that time. The entire family of codes will come back before Council for a final vote at the September 27th, 2016 meeting. In addition, attached to this Council Communication are summaries of changes for all codes from 2006 to 2012 as requested by City Council at a previous meeting.
Information requested from City Council meeting on September 13th, 2016: During the Council discussion, Councilwoman Akeson asked about the requirement that an owner live in one of the units to make the “Live/Work Amendments” applicable. She felt this may discourage investment and limit some opportunities that may exist.
A few points of clarification regarding the process may be appropriate to help explain the proposed amendment. The City Code is very clear that the Construction Commission makes the recommendation to City Council regarding approval and amendment to adopted building codes. City staff plays the role in offering clarification and providing information regarding the building codes during the adopting process. The amendment proposed for “Live/Work” spaces was submitted by a local architect in conjunction with the Downtown Development Corporation. The amendment was presented to the Construction Commission and discussed. The Construction Commission accepted the attached amendment.
Building codes go through an extremely thorough vetting process to ensure construction is built to minimum life safety standards. The 2012 International Existing Building Code did not allow for the “Live/Work” units to be possible. The proposed amendments allow that to occur without sacrificing significant standards. By slightly loosening the safety standards, the owner would have a greater vested interest in the safety of the building if part of the code requires them to live in the space.
Regarding the question as to what this means to buildings where the owner does not reside in one of the units, it would be incredibly hard to predict the hardships that may or may not be created in developing buildings in the Warehouse District. Units may still not be required to be sprinklered based on multiple factors such as use, square footage, occupancy levels, state fire codes, etc. If a developer or building brought the City a project and it was required that the building be sprinklered, the building/developer could apply for hardship relief through the Construction Commission appeal process.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NA
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Updating codes ensures building work being conducted in the City of Peoria is constructed with the latest set of national guidelines.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Codes will go into effect January 1st, 2017.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City of Peoria will continue to enforce the current adopted codes.
ALTERNATIVES: NA
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: NA
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
2. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
3. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
2. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Community Development