HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-032RESOLUTION 01-032
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE INTERPRETATION OF
THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE FOR EXISTING AND HISTORIC COMMERCIAL
BUILDINGS
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend has just completed a study of so-called
"smart" building codes in the interest of encouraging re-use and re-occupation of existing
and historic commercial buildings; and
WHEREAS, the consultants who conducted the study, Guy Hupy and Roxanne
Michael, have made recommendations on how interpretation of the Uniform Building
Code (UBC) and other "alternate" codes can contribute towards this purpose; and
WHEREAS, one of those recommendations is that the City Council should adopt
a resolution in support of the Building Official's flexible use of the UBC's provisions for
the renovation of existing and historic buildings;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
Port Townsend as follows:
The City of Port Townsend hereby supports the Building Official in making full use
of the flexibility allowed under the Uniform Building Code (UBC) Section 3403 in
the evaluation of additions, alterations or repairs to existing and historic buildings,
when such buildings do not comply with the current building code. An "existing"
building is one in existence as of June 15, 1998, the date that the 1997 Uniform
Building Code was adopted by the City. An "historic" building is a building or
structure that has been designated as having special historical or architectural
significance by the local, state or federal jurisdiction.
The Building Official is encouraged to make use of the UBC provision allowing
renovations to historic buildings without requiring the historic building to comply
with all the requirements of the UBC, so long as the building condition is "no more
hazardous" after the rehabilitation, provided that the applicant provides information
that adequately supports that judgment and provided that unsafe conditions as
described in the UBC are corrected.
The Building Official is further encouraged to make use of UBC provisions allowing
renovations to existing buildings without requiring the existing building to comply
with all the requirements of the UBC, so long as the building condition is "no more
hazardous" after the project and so long as the new addition or alteration conforms to
the requirements for a new building or structure.
Page 1 Resolution 01-032
4. The City Council further hereby supports and encourages the use of "alternate
methods and materials," including other model building codes, as allowed for in the
Uniform Building Code, that may facilitate occupation, rehabilitation, or re-use of
existing and historic buildings while still maintaining adequate levels of safety.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular
meeting thereof, held this 23rd day of July, 2001.
Geoff Masci, Mayor
Attest:
City Clerk
Approved as to form:
John Watts
City Attorney
Page 2 Resolution 01-032