02/21/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF NORTI3 OI,MS'I'ED "TOGE'THEIa WE CAN MAKE A DIFFElaENCE" BOA1tD OF BUIi.DING CODE APPEALS 1VIINUTES - FEBIZUAItY 21, 2002 AT 5:30 PM IN COiJNCIL CELAli'IBE1tS 1. ROLL CALL: Chairman Puzzitiello called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. PRESENT: Chairman Puzzitiello, Board members, R. Klesta, M. Conway, N. Althen ALSO PRESENT: Assistant Building Commissioner, T. Rymarczyk, Clerk of Commissions, D. Rote, Assistant Clerk of Commissions, A. Kilbane ABSENT: P. Engoglia II. REVIEW AND CORRECTION OF MINUTES: The minutes of the November 20, 2001 and November 27, 2001 Board of Building Code Appeals meetings have been submitted for approval. R. Klesta made a motion to accept the minutes as written. M. Conway seconded the motion. Uaaanimously approved. III. BUII.,DING DEPARTMENT REQUESTS: 1. Michael R. Gareau Jr.6021 Barton Road The proposal consists of the reconstruction of 2°d story deck with stairs leading to the ground. The violations are: a) Owner has 7 inch to 7 1/4-inch stair treads. Code requires 9" minimum (Section 314.2 OBOA). b) Owner has bottom riser height of 3 1/2 inches. The rest are between 8 3/4 inches to 9 inches. Code maximum is 8 1/4" and cannot deviate more than 3/8" in entire flight (Section 314.2 OBOA). c) Owner stair width is 29 3/4 inches. Code minimuin is 36" (Section 314.1 OBOA). Chairman Puzzitiello called Mr. Gareau forward. Mr. Puzzitiello then read the request. Mr. Gareau informed the board that the stairs in question were built with his assistance and a contractor. Mr. Conway expressed concern about the width of the steps. He asked what the exact width is and Mr. Puzzitiello said 29 3/4". Mr. Conway indicated the code asks for 36". Mr. Gareau explained that when he moved into the house a year ago, the house had a deck built off the back using the current cement pad and steel posts. The building department records from years back should indicate that it was already on the house. The deck had no rail on it despite the fact there was a walk out from the master bedroom. It was a rubber membrane and it had deteriorated to the point where most of the supports could be crushed. Mr. Gareau added that they started out with the idea to rebuild it but once they took down the ceiling and began to look inside, it was so infested, so water soaked and it was buckling, so it was beyond help. He said when they thought about replacing it, they weren't sure if they would include steps. Mr. Gareau referred to the pictures he submitted. He said the main patio area is off to the left where you might expect there to be steps. He said with respect to the width of the steps, the only place they could put them was off to the right side. The steps were put there with the primary purpose of being a means of egress from the house. The purpose of the steps is not access to the deck but rather a means to get out of the house. The five bedrooms they have in the house are all cut off from a doorway by the kitchen. The kitchen is the most likely place where you would have trouble in terms of an emergency or fire. The steps go out onto the grass; they did