City and County of San FranciscoDepartment of Building Inspection

Building Inspection Commission


2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 



 

BUILDING INSPECTION COMMISSION (BIC)
Department of Building Inspection (DBI)

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 9:00 AM

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 416
Aired Live on SFGTV Channel 78

 

AGENDA: 

 

(The BIC will take public comment on every item appearing on the agenda.  Members of the public who address the Commission have the discretion on whether or not they wish to identify themselves for the record.)

 

1.

Call to order and Roll Call.

2.

President’s Announcements.

 

 

3.

Director’s Report.

a. Update on DBI’s finances.

b. Update on proposed legislation.

c. Update on addressing procedures.

 

 

4.

Public Comment:  The BIC will take public comment on matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction that are not part of this agenda.

 

 

5.

Discussion and possible action regarding a proposed Ordinance (File No. 090473, by Supervisor Campos) amending the San Francisco Building Code Chapter 1A, Section 110A, Table 1A-P, and the San Francisco Housing Code Chapter 3, Section 302 to authorize DBI to charge a fee of $52.00 per unit to recover the cost of on-going Housing Code enforcement services for one and two-family dwellings; and making environmental findings.

 

 

6.

Discussion and possible action regarding a proposed Ordinance (File No. 090276, by  Supervisor Daly) amending the San Francisco Housing Code Chapter 5, by amending Section 503 (d) “Housing Access” to promote affordable housing by extending the protections of that Section to all persons sharing housing by deleting the references to “families”, and to specify that both prospective and current tenants are protected; amending Section 503 (b) “Superficial Floor Area” to make a technical correction.

 

 

7.

Discussion and possible action regarding proposed legislation to amend certain Sections of the Building, Plumbing and Electrical Codes to be able to grant extensions of time for permit applications and extensions warranted by the current economic conditions and to address needed clarification, technologies and policies:

 

        a.   Various sections and fee schedule tables including Sections 101A.4.1, 104A.4.3.4, 105A.2.3,106A.3.1.1, 106A.3.3, 106A.3.7, 106A.4.4, 106A.4.4.3, 106A.4.4.4, 106A.4.4.4.1, 106A.4.4.4.2, 106A.4.5, 106A.4.5.5.3, 106A.4.6, 107A.1.2, 107A.3.4, 107A.5, 107A.6, 107A.10, 108A.3.1, and fee schedule tables 1A-E, 1A-J, 1A-L, 1A-N, 1A-P, 1A-Q, and 1A-R; and deleting Sections 106A.4.4.1, 106A.4.4.2, 106A.4.5.5.1, and 106A.4.5.5.2, in their entirety, to adjust fees or permits, inspections and other actions.

b.   The Electrical Code to amend Section 89.1.22.B - Permit Expiration.

c.    The Plumbing Code to amend Section 103.3.4.1 - Failure to Commence or Abandonment of Work.                    

 

 

8.

Discussion and possible action regarding proposed legislation amending the San Francisco Building Code by adding a Technology Surcharge on all permit applications processed by DBI for all departments and bureaus of the City and County of San Francisco to fund implementation and maintenance of the new Permit and Project Tracking System.

 

 

9.

Discussion and possible action regarding a retroactive amendment to the San Francisco Building Code for collection of a State mandated fee pursuant to the Senate Bill 1473 - Green Building Standards.

 

 

10.

Discussion and possible action regarding Administrative Bulletin AB-094 regarding the definition and design criteria for voluntary seismic upgrade of soft-story, type V (wood frame) buildings.

 

 

11.

Update on implementation of the “wooden ladders” legislation.

 

 

12.

Review and approval of the minutes of the February 4, 2009 meeting.

 

13.

Commissioner’s Questions and Matters

 

 

a.

Inquiries to Staff.  At this time, Commissioners may make inquiries to staff regarding various documents, policies, practices, and procedures, which are of interest to the Commission.

 

 

 

b.

Future Meetings/Agendas.  At this time, the Commission may discuss and take action to set the date of a Special Meeting and/or determine those items that could be placed on the agenda of the next meeting and other future meetings of the Building Inspection Commission.

 

 

14.

Adjournment.

 

Copies of all documents referred to in the agenda are available for public inspection and copying between the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Building Inspection Commission, 1660 Mission Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 and will be available at the April 15, 2009 meeting. [Ann Aherne, 558-6164]


If any materials related to an item on this agenda have been distributed to the Building Inspection Commission after distribution of the agenda packet, those materials are available for public inspection at the locations and during the times specified above.

 

 

 

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION:

DEPARTMENT & COMMISSION STAFF:

 

Mel Murphy, President

Vivian L. Day, Director

(415) 558-6131

 

Reuben Hechanova, Vice-President

 

 

 

Kevin Clinch, Commissioner

Ann Aherne, Secretary

(415) 558-6164

 

Frank Lee, Commissioner

Sonya Harris, Asst. Secretary

(415) 558-6164

 

Robin Levitt, Commissioner

 

 

 

Criss Romero, Commissioner

CITY ATTORNEY REPRESENTATIVE:

 

 

Debra Walker, Commissioner

Dep. City Atty. John Malamut

(415) 554-4622

 

 

 

 

 

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code)

 

Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.  Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business.  This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review.

 

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting.  Please be advised that the chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE, TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE, OR TO REPORT A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE, CONTACT FRANK DARBY JR., ADMINISTRATOR, SUNSHINE TASK FORCE CITY HALL, ROOM 244, 1 DR. CARLTON B. GOODLETT PLACE, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94102-4689. OFFICE (415) 554-7724, FAX (415) 554-7854, E-MAIL: sotf@sfgov.org

 

Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the Internet, http://www.sfgov.org/sunshine/and at the San Francisco Public Library.

 

In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products.  Please help the City accommodate these individuals.

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

As a policy-making and supervisory body mandated by the City Charter, the seven-member citizen Building Inspection Commission will manage the Department of Building Inspection and the bodies subordinate to the Commission by overseeing the effective, efficient, fair and safe enforcement of the City and County’s Building, Housing, Plumbing, Electrical and Mechanical Codes, along with Disability Access Regulations.

 

ACCESSIBLE MEETING INFORMATION POLICY

 

The meeting will be held at the City Hall Building, located at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, 4th Floor, Room 400.  The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center Station at 8th (at the United Nations Plaza) and Market Streets.

 

Accessible MUNI/Metro lines servicing this location are the J-Church, K-Ingleside, L-Taraval, C-Ocean View, and N-Judah at Van Ness and Civic Center Stations; 9-San Bruno, 71-Haight, and 42-Downtown bus lines.  For information about MUNI accessible services call (415) 923-6142.

 

The Commission meeting room is wheelchair accessible.  Accessible curbside parking spaces have been designated on the Van Ness Avenue and McAllister Street perimeters of City Hall for mobility-impaired persons.  There is accessible parking available within the Civic Center Underground Parking Garage at the corner of McAllister and Polk Streets, and within the Performing Arts Parking Garage at Grove and Franklin Streets.

 

Accessible seating for persons with disabilities (including those using wheelchairs) will be available.  Assistive Listening devices will be available at the meeting.  To request a sign language interpreter, reader, materials in alternative formats, or other accommodations for a disability, please contact the Commission Secretary, Ann Aherne (415) 558-6164.  Providing 72 hours notice will help to ensure availability.

 

Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call (415) 558-6164 to discuss meeting accessibility.  In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate such persons, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products.  Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.

 

POLICY STATEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING OR MEETING

 

Pursuant to Section 67.7-1(c) of the San Francisco Administrative Code, members of the public who are unable to attend the public meeting or hearing may submit written comments regarding a calendared item to the BIC Commission Secretary, Ann Aherne, at 1660 Mission Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103 or at the place of the scheduled hearing before the proceedings begin.  These written comments shall be made a part of the official public record and these comments will be brought to the attention of the members of the Building Inspection Commission.  [Twenty copies are necessary.]

 

POLICY STATEMENT OF PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Pursuant to Section 67.16 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, each member of the public may address the Commission once for up to three minutes on any agenda item.

 

SAN FRANCISCO LOBBYIST ORDINANCE

 

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance [SF Campaign & Governmental Conduct Code § 2.100] to register and report lobbying activity.  For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA  94102; telephone (415) 581-2300; fax (415) 581-2317; web site: sfgov.org/ethics.