Agenda - Council - 01/10/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the timing of this consideration, noting staff is waiting for completion of the State Legislature's plans. At that point the City will have 60 days to complete its work and then Anoka County will do redistricting, all before the 2012 primary elections. Deputy City Administrator Nelson stated staff is requesting the Council's feedback on what it would like, noting staff will prepare to bring this matter back for Council consideration in early 2012. Acting Mayor Wise restated the need to take residential development into account. Councilmember McGlone suggested main roadways be used as ward boundaries to make it easier for residents and people trying to get elected. Councilmember Tossey noted Wards 3 and 4 are within the ±10% threshold so the adjustments for Ward 1 has to shed and Ward 2 has to grow. 3) Discussion of Building Code and Fire Suppression Requirements City Administrator Ulrich stated there was some confusion between the Fire Code and Building Code so staff wanted to take the opportunity to discuss how the two Codes relate, opportunities to change existing Code, and get Council direction. Fire Chief Kapler reviewed the staff report and explained that, prior to 2004, the City saw an influx of multi -unit housing. The challenge for public safety with higher density housing was the issue of private roads so street standards were developed that met the Fire Code requirements and addressed the issue of maintenance to assure adequate protection to residents in those homes and responders. In 2004, the City looked into optional Chapter 1306 and could have chosen one of two chapters. One chapter required retrofitting every building in the City but staff felt that exceeded what the City wanted to accomplish. The other chapter dealt with new construction and change of occupancy. Fire Chief Kapler explained the original drive for Chapter 1306 came from the fire service. Building Official Kaehler explained that in 2004, Chapter 1306 had requirements for the type of occupancy based on size. Then, in 2007, the Code removed townhome requirements from the optional chapter and placed the requirement to sprinkle townhomes into the general body of the Code. The change of use issue is still in Chapter 1306 so when occupancy changes, some thresholds have to be met. Fire Chief Kapler asked about major remodeling or building expansion. Building Official Kaehler explained that expansions or remodeling that opens the floor print triggers fire suppression requirements. Councilmember McGlone noted Fire Chief Kapler had mentioned that allowing higher density construction with smaller roads created a scenario of potential access problems and adding snow City Council Work Session / December 6, 2011 Page 4 of 12