[E-updates] Committee reviewing building codes seeks public input

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE	 City of Lawrence, Kansas
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

September 8, 2003

CONTACT:	Victor Torres, director of Neighborhood Resources
(785) 832-3122

Committee reviewing building codes seeks public input

(Lawrence, Kansas) - The City of Lawrence Code Review Committee is two
months into the evaluation of two sets of building codes and is working to
make a recommendation of one set of codes to the City Commission in early
2004.  The next step in the evaluation is receiving public comment on the
two sets of codes, developed by the International Code Council and the
National Fire Protection Association.  Developers, architects and
contractors are expected to attend the public comment session hosted by the
Code Review Committee on Tuesday, September 30 from 6:30 to 7:30p.m. in the
City Commission room.

Formed because the International Council of Building Officials will no
longer be updating the uniform model codes previously followed by the city,
the committee is charged with the tasks of evaluating the two possible
replacement codes and recommending the option that best meets the needs of
the Lawrence community.  The committee is addressing the need for a code
adoption as a uniform adoption and involving all aspects and trades involved
with the construction industry.

"There are substantial advantages in combining the efforts of the existing
code organizations to produce a single set of codes such as offered by both
the ICC and NFPA code sets. Code enforcement officials, architects,
engineers, designers and contractors will be able to work with a consistent
set of requirements throughout the United States.  This uniform adoption
will lead to consistent code enforcement and higher quality construction in
Lawrence," explains Victor Torres director of Neighborhood Resources.

The task at hand may appear limited to individuals involved with development
and construction, however, building codes are the guiding principals for
public safety and construction, eventually affecting every home that
citizens occupy and facilities and structures in which they work and visit.

Since July, the Code Review Committee has received presentations from both
code organizations and participated in staff-lead discussion of the code
philosophies and processes.  After the September 30 public comment meeting,
the committee will work to draft a report for the City Commission with a
recommendation. Once the recommendation is made, the Mechanical, Plumbing,
Electrical, Fire and Building Boards will conduct a technical review and
forward recommended amendments to the City Commission for adoption.
Additional public comment is scheduled for the January 29 meeting of the
Code Review Committee.
The Code Review Committee is a collection of members of the city advisory
boards and trade boards as well as city staff and City Commissioner Mike
Rundle.  For comments or questions, contact Victor Torres, director of
Neighborhood Resources at 832-3100 or vtorres@ci.lawrence.ks.us. Copies of
NFPA and ICC code sets are available in the City Clerks Office.  Additional
information is available on line at
www.lawrenceneighres.org/CodeReviewCommittee.shtml and includes meeting
minutes, presentation materials, meeting agendas and a feedback form.
Code Review Committee Members
Joseph Rantner, Board of Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Chair 
Larry Frost, Board of Electrical Examiners and Appeals Chair 
Lee Queen, Uniform Building Code Appeals Chair 
Tom Patchen, Mechanical Code Board of Appeals Chair 
Keith Dabney, Director of Douglas County Building Department 
Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager 
Victor Torres, Director of Neighborhood Resources 
Barry Walthall, Codes Enforcement Manager 
Tim Pinnick, Inspection Supervisor 
Adrian Jones, Structural Inspector 
Mike Rundle, City Commissioner 
Bobbie Flory, Lawrence Home Builders Association 
Rich Barr, Fire Marshall 
Tom Waechter, Fire Code Board of Appeals Chair 
Clinton Lynn, Firefighters Local 1596

-END-


_____________________________
Lisa K. Patterson
Communications Coordinator
City of Lawrence
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 832-3406
fax (785) 832-3405
lpatterson@ci.lawrence.ks.us
http://www.lawrenceks.org