AgdaPkt 2017-01-09 Closed and Joint

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7.C. - Page 3 Examples of these amendments are the code sections addressing "Younger Bay Mud" which is found in Redwood Shores. Additionally, the Board of Building Review has requested, and staff supports, the continued adoption of local amendments generally improving the quality of construction for residential projects. The Board requested that amendments be included to address the maintenance of balconies to prevent collapse, and seismic upgrades of unreinforced masonry, tilt -up and soft story buildings to prevent collapse during an earthquake. These are supported with findings related to the City's location within a seismically active zone and an area of high fire susceptibility. There are changes between the City's current codes and the codes proposed to be Adopted, including the local amendments. The 2016 local amendments may only be more restrictive, not less, than the state codes. Local amendments dealing with foundations and wall construction are stricter than the state code, so they will remain in the City's code. There are other amendments that deal with administrative and other issues, such as times allowed for construction, a re -inspection fee (for inspections that are unnecessarily called for when not ready), maintenance of balconies (because of the tragic balcony collapse in Berkeley), upgrades of dangerous unreinforced masonry, soft story and tilt -up buildings, standards for certain code sections and to enhanced clarification through definitions. Staff has made minor revisions to the proposed ordinance since the first reading on November 28, 2016 to ensure consistency with the fee schedule that staff is currently developing and will present to Council later this year. Additionally, an ordinance amending Sections 9.7 and 9.15 of Chapter 9 of the Redwood City Municipal Code makes minor revisions updating provisions governing notice to abate nuisances and effects on the building code. With this code adoption cycle staff is not recommending the City pursue green building standards beyond those required by state law, as state law now has a higher level of green building standards than the City's previously adopted green building code. Furthermore, the state law helps standardize codes across all cities. ALTERNATIVES 1. Do not adopt the local amendments to the state codes which will result in Redwood City being regulated by the state codes as adopted by the State of California. 2. Direct staff to further review the proposed ordinance based upon public comment.