Ordinance Committee

1 ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE EDWARDSVILLE PLAN COMMISSION April 7, 2016 6:00 PM PRESENT ABSENT M. Rabe, Chair J. Mullane, PC Chairman G. Coffey, Vice Chair M. Pierceall M. Brandmeyer P. Pitts B. Schlueter S. Hanson, Staff C. Porter, Staff L. Schneck, Staff A meeting of the Plan Commission's Ordinance Sub-Committee was held on Thursday 7, 2016, and the following proposed ordinance amendment was discussed: A. An amendment to the Scope of Regulations – Swimming Pools. (Revisions as requested by Plan Commission) Hanson gave a report to the Ordinance Committee on the revisions to the Ordinance as requested by Plan Commission. Page 1 Section 1248-02-8 - Swimming pools. Subsection (a) after 2) Notation was added “However in no instance shall the exempt pool be located within a front yard.” Page 2 Subsection 3) The first sentence has been moved down to be the second sentence. The way it was stated previously, it could be 5 feet away if the Fire Chief gave the okay to do so. If not it would be 10 feet. They way it is worded now is that it should be 10 feet except in instances when approved by the Fire Chief. Hanson felt it made more sense to be written that way. Subsection 4) There was a lot of discussion with a person’s safety and jumping off an accessory structure into a pool at the Plan Commission meeting. Staff reworked this section to read “The pool wall shall maintain a minimum of 10 feet from any feature such as but not limited to a balcony, raised deck or accessory structure.” Cheryl Porter has done most of the site visits for pool construction. There are between 25 and 30 pools permits issued yearly. She has seen all the different permeations of pools. An issue they wrestled with was what if they have a rock feature with a water fall that goes into the pool. There was one done a couple of years ago. They came to the conclusion that they cannot think about every possible scenario. This is why the added the wording “such as but not limited to”. Schlueter brought up a question that was asked before by John Mullane about above ground pools with decks around them. Hanson stated the top edge of the pool would be treated as grade so the deck would be at grade. Schlueter asked if there should be something written in the ordinance to address this. Hanson stated there should be some discretion allowed in the field. If they would do that then they would have to separate  2 out above ground pools from in ground pools which would make the ordinance much more complicated. Brandmeyer asked if the main purpose of this was the ability to move the swimming pool location with the exception by the fire chief. Hanson stated it was the original intent. Brandmeyer asked if everything else seemed to work the way they wanted. Hanson agreed. Rabe asked if they had any changes for page 1. None noted. Rabe asked if there were any changes to page 2. Coffey suggested these changes. 1. The language under Subsection (b) 3) and 4) should be parallel to the language of 1) and 2) in this way: - 3) For pool installed after April XX, 2016, a minimum of 10 feet (10’) from the principal structure…. (Striking “the pool wall shall be no less than”.) - 4) Should read “A minimum of 10 feet (10’)….” (Striking “The pool wall shall maintain”) 2. Add under Subsection 4) after feature “that is higher than the pool wall,” such as but not limited to a balcony, raised deck, or accessory structure. Coffey asked if there was required means of emergency egress for upper levels. He knew of a requirement for lower levels. Porter explained that the required means of egress was an openable window that has a minimum square footage of surface area for someone who is wearing a breathing apparatus can get through regardless of what level the bedroom is located on. Hanson added this is a requirement for bedrooms only. MOTION: Pitts. Motion to refer this back to the Plan Commission. SECONDED: Schlueter. All Ayes. REMINDER: PLAN COMMISSION MEETING: Monday, April 18, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall, City Council Chambers, 118 Hillsboro Avenue.