Item 7A -Final - draft construction ordinance requirements
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING: October 10, 2012
Public Hearing -Agenda Item 7A
TO: Planning and Zoning Commission
PREPARED BY: Brian James, Executive Director of Development
SUBJECT: Discussion and Public Hearing to discuss a draft Ordinance amendment related to
construction requirements. (James/Sanchez)
ITEM SUMMARY: Based on discussion with the City Council on May 29, staff has been working to draft
ordinance amendments to reduce the likelihood of having foundations problems in single family homes. Staff is
recommending changes to a number of different articles of Chapter 18, Building and Building
Regulations of the Code of Ordinances, City of Schertz. Generally, these changes involve:
Requiring a soil test from a licensed geotechnical engineer for each lot
Requiring a licensed engineer to certify that the foundation was constructed and cured in accordance
with previously approved plan specifications,
Requiring plans sealed by a licensed engineer in order to receive a permit to construct a retaining wall
greater than 4' in height and limiting incursions into the retaining wall area
Requiring the licensed engineer who designed the foundation to attest that they have considered the
Post Tension Institutes standards as part of the design.
Requiring a concrete strength test and a statement of conformance with the design of the foundation
and inspection of monolithic pour slabs by a third party inspector.
Require pre-engineered truss shop drawings be signed and sealed from the engineer of the
manufacturer. The engineer of record for the entire structure must provide letter accepting the
incorporation of these assemblies into the overall design. Require the signed and sealed pre-
engineered truss plans and shop drawings on site for inspection.
Eliminating the reference to unsatisfactory work a basis for revoking a license from the Code of
Ordinances, as the City can only revoke a license for a violation of the City's Code of Ordinances.
The draft Ordinance is currently being reviewed a final time by staff and will be distributed to the Planning and
Zoning Commission and the member of the public who have expressed and interest on Tuesday, October 9.
Based on the feedback during the meeting staff will schedule the input meetings on the proposed changes.
While not an ordinance change, staff is proposing to keep records on all residential homes for 10 years.