MINUTES OF THE CITY OF KODIAK BUILDING CODE BOARD OF

MINUTES OF THE CITY OF KODIAK
BUILDING CODE BOARD OF APPEALS
HELD WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12,2014, AT 3 p.m.
IN THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH CONFERENCE ROOM
I.
Meeting called to Order/Roll Call
Meeting was called to order at 3 p.m.
Members present: Gregg Hacker, R. Scott Bonney, Ed Mahoney
Members absent: John Butler
Staff present: Doug Mathers, Ted Hansen, Gena Diniega-Wandersee, Debra
Marlar, Michelle Shuravloff-Nelson
Chair Gregg Hacker stated the purpose of the meeting and noted property owners
within 200' of the subject property had been notified, and stated one letter of nonobjection was received from Bob Brodie.
II.
Request for Exception from Harry (Ben) Ardinger
a.
Staff Report/Findings of Facts
Staff Hansen brought to attention a page in the agenda packet showing the
timeline of discussions between the Building Dept. staff and the applicant, Mr.
Ardinger, beginning November 1, 2013. Hansen informed the board that he
mentioned to Mr. Ardinger's son-in-law, Matt Holmstrom, in one of their
conversations, that if the second floor was going to be a residence, there would be
a building code requirement of one-hour fire separation and also suggested hiring
a fire engineer to figure out what needed to be done to bring the property to code.
Hansen informed the board that he also suggested Mr. Ardinger provide an
alternative method.
Hansen recommended the board deny Mr. Ardinger's request for an exception, per
Kodiak City 14.48.040, requesting a waiver of the one-hour fire separation
requirement between the first and second floors at 412 Marine Way, as he has not
provided an alternative to the fire code requirement.
b.
Board Motion
Motion 1
Building Code Board of Appeals Minutes
November 12,2014
Page 2 of4
Mr. Bonney moved to approve the application from Ben Ardinger dated
October 20, 2014, requesting an exclusion/waiver to the one-hour fire
separation between the first and second floors at 412 Marine Way, Kodiak, AK
as required by the International Building Code. Mr. Mahoney seconded.
c.
Public Hearing
Chair Hacker opened the public hearing on the request for exception from Ben
Ardinger.
Mr. Ben Ardinger read a letter reiterating to the board the work that has been done
and remodel plans to his building located at 412 Marine Way. The first floor has
been renovated and is currently being leased to AT&T. He decided to convert the
second floor into a residential area. He suggested that sufficient sprinkler heads
had been installed, sufficient fire exits are provided, the bottom floor does not
contain cooking facilities, and requested the board approve his request for a
waiver of the one-hour fire separation and thanked them for their time in reviewing
his request.
There being no further public comments, Chair Hacker closed the public hearing
and asked for Board comments.
d.
Board Discussion/Findings
The Board discussed the information provided by Mr. Ardinger. The Board stated it
must obey the code and asked if alternate methods of construction had been
suggested that would meet code requirements. Specifically, Mr. Bonney asked
staff if there were alternate means and methods to approve Mr. Ardinger's request.
There was none provided to staff. Mr. Mahoney asked Mr. Ardinger if there could
be anything to put on the floor to comply with the building code requirements. He
also asked Mr. Ardinger if he had any alternate methods and/or if he was willing to
look into alternate methods to present to staff for review and help the board to
approve his request. Staff informed the board that Mr. Ardinger has not yet applied
for a building permit to put a residence on the second floor. Staff offered the board
and Mr. Ardinger suggestions of alternate methods i.e. spray-applied fire coating
on bar joists, sheetrock, suspended ceiling systems, etc. Staff suggested Mr.
Ardinger contact a sprinkler system designer to come up with a solution. Mr.
Bonney expressed that he'd be more comfortable if there were alternate methods
of material or methods of construction presented to him. He discussed amending
Building Code Board of Appeals Minutes
November 12, 2014
Page 3 of4
his motion to request Mr. Ardinger provide the board alternate means of
construction.
Motion 2
Mr. Bonney moved to amend the motion before the body to request Mr.
Ardinger provide information on alternate means of construction, which could
include fire alarm system, fire sprinkler head density, fire rated ceiling tile, or
other methods and bring the alternate construction methods back to the Board.
Mr. Mahoney seconded. Amendment passed unanimously.
The Board discussed whether the amendment was germane to the main
motion and voiced agreement that the course of action would be to postpone
the main motion until alternate construction methods were made known to the
Board.
Motion 3
Mr. Bonney moved to withdraw the amendment. Mr. Mahoney seconded.
The motion to withdraw the amendment passed unanimously.
Motion 4
Mr. Bonney moved to postpone the pending motion until Mr. Ardinger
provides alternate construction methods, which could include fire alarm
system, fire sprinkler head density, fire rated ceiling tile, or other methods
and bring the alternate construction methods back to the Board. Mr.
Mahoney seconded.
Mr. Mahoney suggested the information to be submitted by Mr. Ardinger be
from an engineer or product manufacturer.
Motion 5
Mr. Mahoney moved to amend the postponement motion by inserting
"within 45 days" at the end of the motion. Mr. Bonney seconded. Motion to
amend the postponement motion passed unanimously.
Motion 4 passed unanimously as amended: to postpone the pending
motion until Mr. Ardinger provides alternate construction methods, which
could include fire alarm system, fire sprinkler head density, fire rated ceiling
tile, or other methods, and bring the alternate construction methods back to
the Board within 45 days.
Building Code Board of Appeals Minutes
November 12,2014
Page4of4
Ill.
Adjournment
Chair Hacker adjourned the meeting at 3:48p.m.
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Debra Marlar, City Clerk
Minutes Approved: