Building Code Board of Appeals Agenda and Packet 2017 05 25

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ww. Colorado Code Consulting, LLC Main Office Frisco 4610 S Ulster, Ste. 150 152 Larson Lane Denver, CO 80237 PO Box 1261 (303) 400-6564 Frisco, CO 80443 Fax: (303) 693-0630 (303) 591-9258 To whom it may concern; I recently became aware of an issue at 1610 Circle Dr. regarding a basement finish project and the question about the headroom at a stairway to the basement. I was asked to visit the site to determine if there were any possible solutions. During my visit I found information that was not presented at the time of the previous Board of Appeals Hearing, and as such the Board is being asked to reconsider the determination that was previously made, in accordance with Sections 11 and 14 of Article IX of the City of Louisville, Bylaws of the Building Code Board of Appeals. The new information includes; A statement and evidence that the basement was previously finished prior to the current owner. The stairs are existing and have not been modified in any manner since the original permitted installation. Chapter 1 of the International Residential Code states in Section 102.7; "The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue without change, except as is deemed necessary for the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the general public." The stair headroom is below the minimum code requirement but was allowed at the time of the original construction back in the 1960's and does not pose a threat to the occupants safety or welfare but more of an inconvenience. As such they can be allowed to remain as originally installed and meet the intent of this code section. Chapter 1 of the International Residential Code states in section 102.7.1; `Alterations to any structure shall conform to the requirements for a new structure without requiring the existing structure to comply with all of the requirements of this code, unless otherwise stated. Alterations shall not cause an existing structure to become unsafe or adversely affect the performance of the building." It has been brought to our attention that the stairs remain as originally installed and the basement was previously finished with the existing stairs in place with the existing headroom. Thus meeting the intent of this code section. Further, code evidence of the stairs complying as existing is provided in Chapter 34 section 3404.1 of the International Building Code. This section is often overlooked when dealing with residential single family which is typically regulated just out of the IRC. However, section 3401.3 of the IBC states; "Alterations ...to existing buildings and structures shall comply with the provisions for alterations in the International Residential Code...." 1610 Circle Dr BOA letter 5-18-17