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Item # 16.

Work Session and Regular Meeting

Meeting Date:	04/28/2020
Department:	Development Services
Pillars:	Innovation in Entrepreneurship & Business
Milestones:	Leverage Airport assets to maximize business growth and expansion

AGENDA CAPTION:

Consider Action to Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 18 to Add a New Article IX "Energy Conservation Code" of the Addison Code of Ordinances, Adopting the 2018 Edition of the International Energy Conservation Code With Amendments.

BACKGROUND:

The Town regulates the construction, alteration, occupancy and maintenance of buildings through the adoption and enforcement of a series of codes. The Town currently operates under the 2012 International Code Council (ICC) Codes and the 2014 National Electrical Code. These codes regulate commercial and residential structures including elements pertaining to fire protection, plumbing, mechanical and electrical building elements. New versions of these codes are released every three years to account for issues that arise between code cycles, new construction methods, and to clarify existing regulations. Staff is proposing that the Town adopt the 2018 ICC Codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code. Staff presented an overview of the code update process to the City Council during a work session on February 25, 2020.

These codes are codified in Chapter 18 of the Town's Code of Ordinances. This agenda item specifically adopts the 2018 ICC Energy Conservation Code with local amendments under Article IX of Chapter 18. Local amendments are intended to fine tune the code to Addison. In most cases, local amendments are developed by the North Central Texas Council of Governments for consideration by each community in this area. The changes from the 2012 Energy Conservation Code to the 2018 version of the code are highly technical standards related to energy efficiency and conservation. These changes were developed by code experts and industry professionals to balance life-safety concerns with industry best practices.

During the Council Work Session discussion, the City Council requested information regarding how existing buildings would be regulated under the new Energy Conservation Code, specifically asking if minor work would require the entire building to be brought up to the current standards. The Energy Conservation Code does not retroactively apply to existing buildings unless there are changes. If an addition is made to an existing building, the addition must conform, but no changes are required for portions of the building that is unaltered. Routine maintenance and repair do not trigger compliance with new standards. If alterations are made, then new elements must comply with the new standard. For example, if a new window is installed or a new electrical fixture added, these new elements would need to comply, but it would not require that all windows or electrical fixtures be upgraded.

The new code provisions would be effective June 1, 2020 to allow Staff time to communicate with the development community about the updated code.

RECOMMENDATION:

Administration recommends approval.

Attachments
Ordinance - Chapter 18 Article IX Energy Conservation Code