City updates building codes

CROSSVILLE Crossville City Council approved first reading of a change in the edition of the International Building Code that will start being used in the the city this fall, an action that may affect the city's contract to provide building inspection services for the county government.

The city has been using the 2006 International Building Code and, according to Crossville building inspector Jeff Kerley, a new version of the code is about to be released dated 2015. State law requires the city to use a code within seven years of its adoption. There are two possible codes the city could have chosen, 2009 and 2012.

During the council's earlier work session, codes administrator Kerley said the 2012 and 2015 codes have very stringent energy efficiency requirements that could add some $3,000 to $5,000 to the cost of a residential house. Kerley explained many cities, as well as the state, are all trying to determine the best way to move forward.

During the work session, Kerley proposed the 2012 code and council members asked about using the 2009 code. Kerley responded that if the 2009 was adopted, the city would have to change again in two years to the 2012 codes.

Currently, the city is preforming building inspections for the county under an agreement City Manager David Rutherford said has gone to a month to month arrangement, as the contract was signed more than a year ago and the initial term has expired. The change to a more advanced code will increase the cost of a building permit and the county will need to raise their rates or make other arrangements for the building inspection service to be provided.

The change requires three readings of an ordinance and the city plans to put the change in place either September or October this year.

When asked for comments, Councilman Pete Souza said, I think it is mandated and we have to do it.

A motion by Mayor pro-tem Danny Wyatt was supported by Souza. All four members of the council present voted in favor of the motion. Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III was not present for the meeting.

The council approved extending city sewer to Homestead Methodist Church at the request of the church. While the church property is located outside of the city limits, the city has provided sewer service to churches and schools that our outside the city limits.

The cost of installing the line is estimated at $9,500 according to city engineer Tim Begley and the church will pay $1,200 in materials toward the project.

Go here to read the rest:
City updates building codes