sfcrg blog

By Henry Karnilowicz

There was a PAC (Public Advisory Committee) meeting on February 18, 2010. The agenda included a discussion on the code rewrite in 2007 and 2008. January 2011 the California Building Code (CBC) will be in effect and it will take about six months for local amendments. The state also will be adopting the IRC (International Residential Code). There will be the California Green Code update at the next PAC meeting.

On the pending voluntary soft story incentives include a reduction in fees and expedited permitting. There is a working group in place discussing mandatory soft story legislation. The issue was raised about the triggering of ADA compliance as it will be more difficult to get a hardship exemption. Director Day said that the Certified Access Specialist Program (CASP) is in effect and those so certified will be making site visits fro a fee,, at the request of the owners, and will make determinations on what is acceptable for the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) compliance.

On plan checking a check list has been created but fire and the Department of Public Works (DPW) are still in the process of preparing check lists for plan review. Initial Plan Review (IPR) is to be on the first floor. Records management, administration, DPW and Public Utilities Commission (PUC -back operations) and CED (Code Enforcement Division) will be on the fourth floor at 1660 Mission. Management Information Services (MIS) will stay at 1650 Mission.

Regarding release of plans by records management there will be a hold for up to 30 days, allowing for a response from the producer of the plans, and then the Director will make the determination if plans can be released. Records Management staff is looking into the process in other jurisdictions and will then determine the process to be implemented at the Department of Building Inspection (DBI).

On the item regarding Site Permits: DBI is concerned that Site Permits are being released without payment of any fees. A fee of 25% to 75% is being considered before the first addendum is accepted. Deputy Director Laurence Kornfield provided a handout of a check list for Site Permit acceptance.

Director Day said that the “Queuematic” automatic scheduling system will be in place shortly allowing appointments to be made at any time.

On a planning matter. The DR (Discretionary Review) reform is moving along. The latest being an amendment to the proposed legislation from Supervisor Eric Mar. Please read the attached document. This item will again apparently be before the Land Use Committee on Monday, March 8, 2010.

By Henry Karnilowicz

What’s being proposed: Neighborhood groups would still have to file the DR within the 30 day window. They would just have extra time to “prove” that the DR is really from a group that has taken a vote to file the DR. The idea was that some groups don’t meet frequently, so it enables them to discuss it at their regular meeting.

By Henry Karnilowicz

There was a PAC (Public Advisory Committee) meeting on January 21, 2010.
The agenda included a discussion on electrical permit fees. Currently a separate permit is required for each unit in a building whereas previously one permit was required and additional fees were paid for extra inspections as needed. It was felt that having separate permits creates more paperwork. Director Day said she would look into the code to make a determination.

Another item was records retrieval. The current process, which has been in effect at DBI for many years, copies of plans are released to owners or to agents with an owner’s affidavit. Director Day said that this process is illegal and that records management will hold the request for copies of plans for 30 days and will require an affidavit from the owner and a release from the producer of the plans. If there is no original producer of the plans then the request will go to the successor. After the 30 days if there is no response then Director Day will make the determination if the plans should be released to the requestor.

Deputy Director Kornfield passed out a checklist for developing ground floor rooms. With a suggestion by one of the committee Deputy Director Kornfield said he would work with a sub committee to develop a checklist for TI’s.

Deputy Director Kornfield said that details for voluntary strengthening are being completed for typical situations and Director Day said that owners will be able to select which method to use. Deputy Director Kornfield said that there will be standard details for decks and stairs. He also said that DBI is working on directions for construction drawing comments. Director Day said that they need to work on a check list for site permits.

Director Day said that the California Residential Code will come into effect next year and that sprinklers will be required for single and two family buildings also in new units that are created in an existing building.

Commencing February 1, 2010 fire will not sign of on any applications for buildings that are listed as requiring sprinklers and have not complied with the sprinkler ordinance.

Deputy Director Sweeney said that DBI will no longer be taking anonymous complaint over the phone and anonymous complaint will be accepted with a personal filing at DBI.

Director Day said that she is seeking having 11 staff back spread throughout DBI.

MTA will have a counter on the first floor for questions regarding the TDF ordinance.

One of the committee asked about converting an application from a type 3 to a type 8, for site permits, so that addendums can then be hand carried to all the stations to which there was no response from staff.

Deputy Director Kornfield said that planning will have a counter on the fifth floor but the PIC (Planning Information Counter) will stay on the first floor.

On planning following is information from the planning department.

The Planning Department is beginning a process to provide all Planning Commission case report materials online. As such, it is now policy that sponsors provide a PDF copy of final plans to be posted online the same day the hard copy case report is released (typically one week before the hearing).