Agenda

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ARF- 4240

2. A.

Work Session

Meeting Date:	04/25/2017
Submitted For:	Scott Buzan
Submitted By:	Scott Buzan, Community Development Division Director (Interim)
Department:	Community Development	Division:	Building

Information

Request/Subject

Proposed changes to the Building Code Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County, Arizona (Ordinance No. 2014-03).

Background Information

Gila County Building Code Ordinance No. 2014-03 was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 2, 2014. Since that time, it was discovered that the Ordinance needs to be updated. Due to the number of proposed changes and their location throughout the document, a new Ordinance was prepared (Ordinance No. 2016-03), which incorporates all of the necessary changes and it replaces Ordinance No. 2014-03.

On December 6, 2016, the Board of Supervisors held a public hearing to consider the adoption of Gila County Building Code Ordinance No. 2016-03, which repeals previously adopted Gila County Building Code Ordinance No. 2014-03. At that time, Jeff Dalton, Deputy County Attorney and Civil Bureau Chief, advised the Board of Supervisors that it could not take any action to adopt the Ordinance because a public hearing before the Gila County Planning and Zoning Commission was not scheduled and publicly noticed prior to the December 6th hearing. Since the agenda item was advertised as a public hearing, the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors called for public comment; however, no one responded. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to continue this agenda item to a future Board of Supervisors' meeting.

Evaluation

Building Code Ordinance No. 2014-03 has been in effect for over two and a half years. During 2016, the Building Official had numerous discussions not only with staff and contractors, but with the public and other building officials with the intent to modify the existing Ordinance so that it can continue to evolve and improve as well as remain a legally enforceable document that will safeguard health, safety, property and public welfare. Some of the modifications include code section clarifications, the addition of minimum energy standards and the adoption of the 2012 International Energy Code as an optional code, reduced requirements, and increased safety measures. Since the building codes are international in their content, some of the amendments are specific to Gila County's geographical location.

Proposed Building Code Ordinance No. 2016-03 was approved by the Gila County Building Safety Advisory and Appeals Board on February 26, 2016. Pending the outcome of this work session, the plan is to present the Building Code Ordinance to the Gila County Planning and Zoning Commission with a new Ordinance number of 2017-02 to reflect the current year. The Planning and Zoning Commission will schedule a public hearing to consider its approval of this amended Ordinance and a recommendation for approval or disapproval will be provided to the Board of Supervisors.

Conclusion

Change is inevitable and adapting the Building Code Ordinance to encompass relevant changes in the building codes and the construction industry allows the County's customers more flexibility in complying with the codes without the County having to invest time and money adopting the newer codes. The 2018 International Code Council codes are expected to be released later this year and Community Development plans to begin the process of evaluating these new codes for possible adoption sometime next year. In addition, keeping the Ordinance current and accessible provides customers and staff a tool which helps to educate them about code requirements and specific requirements adopted and enforced by Gila County.

Recommendation

Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors consider the proposed changes to existing Ordinance No. 2014-03, the Building Code Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion regarding proposed changes to the existing Building Code Ordinance for Unincorporated Areas of Gila County. (Scott Buzan)

Attachments
DRAFT Building Code Ordinance No. 2017-02
Gila County Building Code Ordinance No. 2014-03 - Current