Design Standards/Plan Review Committee

HCEC DS/PR COMMITTEE Agency Meeting

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Design Standards/Plan Review Committee

Agency Meeting

TO: Meeting AttendeesDATE: September 20, 2005

FROM:Alan McKee, P.E.

RE:Minutes for DS/PR Monthly Agency Coordination Meeting

HARRIS COUNTY:

A. TSARP Update – Harris County expects letter from FEMA to Floodplain Administrator in October. This will start a 6 month period (FEMA is trying to reduce to 3 months) until formal adoption of the FIRM maps. Harris County/HCFCD will accept LOMR/CLOMR applications for local review now. FEMA is evaluating when they will begin accepting LOMR/CLOMR’s.

B. Plan Review/Street Acceptance –

1. Proposed Harris County Regulations for the Approval and Acceptance of Infrastructure. Time frame for implementation of new acceptance submittal package? New regulations slated for September 27th Commissioner’s Court Agenda. Rules would take effect Nov. 1, 2005. Grandfathering provisions (along the same lines as County’s compensating storage/fill permit grandfathering provisions) are incorporated. Upon adoption, Harris County will begin to accept acceptance packages under the new regulations immediately, if the engineer elects.

Harris County will include a box on the Express Review sheet to indicate whether sidewalks will be included. If sidewalks are not proposed, no curb ramps will be required. If sidewalks are subsequently proposed, additional constructions plans or plan modifications are required for County Approval. Separate sidewalk permits will be issued by County.

2. County fire code requirements, as they pertain to water/wastewater plants. Committee requested water plants/wastewater plants be exempted from County fire code as these facilities do not constitute a public or commercial building. John Blount has indicated the County Attorney’s office determined these facilities were not exempt, but specific design features could be developed. HCEC will establish a subcommittee to work with County or plant specific criteria.

C. Discussion of Additional Harris County Issues.

HCFCD inspection process. Discussion of changes in the HCFCD inspection group staffing and process including the following: The County indicated Jim Bereck heads the Development Coordination/Inspection group at HCFCD. Committee members discussed multiple new affidavit requirements. County indicated new requirements for Bonds (applied when the contractor obtains permit) for construction within HCFCD right-of-way, and requirements for a right-of-entry for construction activities (but no facilities) within HCFCD right-of-way. County agreed to provide a short presentation at next agency meeting.

CITY OF HOUSTON:

A. CoH Plan Review Issues –

1. Draft title block. Title block should be posted on City web site today or tomorrow. A spot for IMLS number has been added. Committee noted that engineers are not currently provided the IMLS number. City will allow for a period of transition for conversion to the new title block.

2. Receiving review comments requesting combined storm sewer and water easements. Comments are received where storm sewer is located in street right-of-way and water line is located adjacent to the storm outside right-of-way in water line easement. Committee noted comments received are in conflict with Design Criteria (5.07A.1.a.) requiring water line easements to be exclusive. Committee offered no technical objection (members recall this was a City driven criteria), but recommends City go through a formal process of rule change with comment from HCEC so that pros/cons are thoroughly explored. Jack Sakolosky will check into the review comment.

3. Receiving comments that storm sewers should be routed around knuckle cul-de-sacs. Committee noted that this comment came up several months ago, and Kathlie Bulloch resolved the issue. Comment has been coming up again. Jack Sakolosky will check into the review comment.

4. Notification is requested when construction plans are not signed after Thursday walkthrough, so that engineer is aware if construction plans have not been routed to scanning. Jack agreed engineer would be notified. Committee agreed this is not a frequent occurrence.

B. Other Plan Review Items.

1. County review of drainage improvements. City will formally drop drainage review in the ETJ when new Harris County drainage regulations go into effect (Nov. 1). At that time, only two review plan sets will be required for ETJ projects (5 plan sets for projects inside City).

2. City acceptance of trash-rack storm water quality BMP – Subcommittee setting meeting.

Harris County agreed to provide technical backup to subcommittee.

3. 4” curb consideration by City. City considering 4-inch curb, specifically the following issues:

• Safety – City checking with HPD on reports associated with existing 4-inch curb inside city.
• Reduction in drainage capacity – committee noted TP-101 Method 2 and 3 don’t take into account the flow area below top-of-curb.
• Yard drains cut through curbs – “Pop-up” yard drains behind curbs (with no cut of curb) are used in the County by most builders.

C. Discussion of Additional City of Houston Issues.

1. Committee asked how City is handling calling slopes on plans for large diameter water lines, as it is not noted as a requirement in the Design Criteria Manual. Jack Sakolosky indicated City requires slopes on large diameter water lines based on the City’s Surface Water Transmission Manual.

2. Committee noted comment was received that plan submittals would be received on Thursdays during walk through. Jack Sakolosky indicates this is not the case. City and Committee will discuss feasibility of self-registering plan submittal to reduce load on City staff.

3. Committee noted still receiving telephone notice of plan pickup. City will move toward email notification.

JOINT COH/HC PLAT REVIEW (COH/HC PLANNING)

A. Confirm Title Reports are acceptable. Jennifer Ostlind confirmed City Planning would prefer a “City Planning Letter”, but will continue to accept Title Reports.

B. City’s planning with respect to street name process. Jennifer Ostlind will determine outcome of Marlene Gaffick’s discussions with the Mayor regarding street name management.

C. Other

1. City Planning considering a monthly (1-2 hour) presentation on Chapter 42 for interested parties.

2. City Planning is working on improvements to the Brava markup software system to improve communication of staff comments.

3. City Planning updating the IMLS system, with long-term goal of creating a GIS system.

4. The electronic check fee payment component is not yet functional.

OTHER ISSUES

ADDITIONAL ACTION ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

A. Short Letter of Availability Subcommittee meeting following this meeting.

B. Lift Station Subcommittee – Norm Scholes making final revisions for coordination

meeting with Roger Whitney.

TIME AND LOCATION OF NEXT MEETINGS:

A. Next DS/PR Committee Meeting - Thursday, October 6, 2005– 7:30am, at Pate Engineers.

B. Next DS/PR Agency Meeting Tuesday at HCFCD – October 18, 2005 – 7:30am

C. Friday, October 21, 2005 – 11:30 am, HCEC Monthly Meeting at HESS.