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City Council <br /> Meeting Minutes <br /> January 21, 2014 <br /> Page 11 of 30 <br /> family dwellings. (Note, the City already requires fire sprinklers in all <br /> commercial development and new multi-family dwellings); or <br /> b. BCBOA recommendation: Adopt the 2012 sprinkler requirement in the <br /> International Residential Code, excluding detached single-family <br /> dwellings. New townhomes and duplexes would still be required to install <br /> fire sprinklers. <br /> Some code changes between the 2009 and 2012 editions are less restrictive and <br /> reduce the cost of construction. The total of overall cost increases using the reductions <br /> and increases with sprinklers and energy code included is estimated to be between 3% <br /> and 4% of the total cost of construction. The key changes are the fire sprinkling <br /> requirement in areas where fire sprinklers are well established as well as state-of-the <br /> art, and with the supply and the expertise there is approximately a 0.75% to 1% <br /> increase in the cost of construction. In markets new to fire sprinklers there is an <br /> increase of 2.5% or more. The energy code produces a 1% increase in construction, <br /> with a 15% increase in energy efficiency. All elements of the Codes have the energy <br /> code imbedded. The various elements in the plumbing, residential and mechanical are <br /> producing a .05% increase in cost of construction <br /> The International Green Construction Code is not included in the family of documents <br /> recommended for adoption by reference with the 2012 update. In reviewing the <br /> document, it is staff's and the BCBOA's belief the Green Construction Code is not <br /> completely applicable to the Louisville Municipal Code (LMC) Chapter 15, Buildings and <br /> Construction. Rather, the document establishes many guidelines and standards <br /> applicable to LMC's Chapter 17, zoning. <br /> Staff acknowledges the Green Construction Code has numerous concepts worthy of <br /> discussion and consideration; however, these discussions should be vetted through the <br /> context of the LMC's Chapter 17 and the upcoming small area and neighborhoods plans <br /> and not through building code updates. <br /> COUNCIL QUESTIONS <br /> Mayor Pro Tern Dalton addressed green building codes and stated his assumption staff <br /> will tell Council exactly what measures will be vetted in the small area plans. Planning <br /> Director Russ cited examples such as the biking parking resolutions and other basic <br /> zoning matters and noted staff will definitely point out what is in the green building code. <br /> City Staff and Louisville Fire District recommendation: Adopt the 2012 sprinkler <br /> requirement in the International Residential Code with no amendments. Staff <br /> recommended Louisville adopt the ICC's requirement to sprinkle all newly constructed <br /> residential structures, including single family homes, for the following reasons: <br />