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P82 <br /> <br />Public Works Director Kapler responded in the affirmative. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig noted potable systems are in homeowners' regular systems on their <br />domestic lines, and do not require any maintenance or inspections. Due to the infon'nation he has <br />learned about this he is not as concerned about the cost as he originally was. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Cook, seconded by Councilrnember Pearson, to adopt Ordinance <br />#04-25 to add Chapter 1306, Subpart 3, New Buildings with Item E, Option 1, In the Minnesota <br />Building Code, to Chapter 8 of Ramsey City Code. <br /> <br />Further Discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman suggested a broad overview of this be put in <br />the Ramsey Resident. He noted this will not apply to most single family residents; it affects <br />more townhomes and that type of thing. Councilmember Kurak noted these requirements are not <br />retroactive. City Administrator Norman indicated staff would distribute a letter to medium <br />density developments and townhome developments under construction to notify them of the <br />ordinance. Councilmember Elvig asked if there will be a tilrfing issue with the adoption of the <br />ordinance. City Administrator Norman replied the ordinance will go into effect on July 26th. <br />Building peri'nits that are issued as of that date would have to comply with the new ordinance. <br />Councilmember Elvig asked how long building permits are valid. Community Development <br />Director Frolik replied building permits are valid for six months. Councilmember Elvig inquired <br />if staff is concerned about a rush to City Hall to handle this ordinance. City Administrator <br />Norman replied he would be more concerned if the ordinance goes into effect and people say no <br />one told them about it. Brian Sullivan of Rytand Homes stated they are a little concerned about <br />the ordinance being retroactive to a development that has already been approved. They have <br />been working with the City and this ordinance has come up over the last couple of months. The <br />issue of putting in sprinklers in a home becomes a hardship for them as far as marketing and <br />selling. The homes they build do meet the state code for fire safety, while the sprinkling code is <br />a discretionary code. Ryland Homes has no opposition to putting sprinklers into 'townhomes, and <br />they are working with that in several co~rnnunities. In Eden Prairie they were working with the <br />first 200 homes being approved prior to the ordinance going into effect, so the sprinkling code <br />did not go into effect for those homes. The homes that were approved after the code was <br />approved are being enforced. Ryland Homes would like the Council to consider ~andfathering <br />the plats that have been approved prior to this ordinance going into effect. Mayor Gamec <br />inquired if the builder has any grounds to stand on as far as a conflict with approved plats. City <br />Attorney Goodrich replied in relation to subdivision issues in a preliminary plat, the City cannot <br />amend the ordinance for two years, but that has nothing to do with building permits or codes. <br />The City, is under no legal obligation to address previously approved plats. Councitmember <br />Zirnmennan stated there are some excellent builders that have said they would put in sprinklers <br />and he would hope others would take that lead. There is no set time to say it is a good time, and <br />they need to go forward with this. Councilmember Kurak COlnmented she understands the <br />situation in that the builder has already developed a marketing plan and strategy on what the <br />units will sell for, and this ordinance has an impact on the bottom line. What would be more <br />troubling are the developments that are half built, as she would imagine they would come <br />forward with the same. complaint. There are quite a few townhomes that have had their final <br />plats approved and have yet to be built. In essence they would be making an ordinance that <br />would not be followed through with. She questioned what the reason would be for adopting the <br />ordinance if they were to allow all these homes to be built without the systems. Todd <br />Baumgartner of Pulte Homes stated they have some homes that are not finished as well. There <br /> <br />City Council/June 22, 2004 <br />Page 14 of 31 <br /> <br /> <br />