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00-111Council File # 00 • \\ 0'R1G1NA�, RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Green Sheet # 100401 Presented Referred To Committee Date i BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby certifies and approves the February 1, 2 200Q decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Properiy Code Enforcement Appeals for ffie following 3 address: 4 Propertv Appealed �� Ap lne lant 6 624 Suuiuiit Avenue. 576-578 Grand Avenue. 426 Pierce Street; Gwynne Evans 7 1986 St. Clair Avenue. 1765 Randol�h Avenue, 460 Pierce Street 8 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforniiug doors with the following conditions: 1) when the 9 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the 10 building must othenvise be in compliance. I 1 1319 Grand Avenue Marie V. Heckel 12 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforming doars with the following condifions: 1) when the 13 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they wiil be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the 14 building must otherwise be in compliance. 15 1646 Selbv Avenue Sazah Close 16 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the 17 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2} the 18 building must otherwise be in compliance. 19 1585 Rice Street Patrick Donahue for Community Options 20 Decision: Variance g�anted on the nonconfornvng doors with the follownag conditions: 1) when the 21 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with confomung fire rated doors, 2) the 22 building must otherwise be in compliance. 23 550 Wheeler Street North Paul Huot for Huot Manufachu•uig Company. 24 Decision: The owner has until December 31, 2000, to replace the combustible storage containers with non 25 combustible storage containers above the top rack. 26 661 Lincoln Avenue Lany Rantapaa 27 Decision: Variance granted on the legal escape windows in both sleeping rooms of Unit #3 with the following 28 condition: when the building is under rehabilitation, the windows must be brought up to code. 29 906 Beech Street. Lower Unit Wendy Sawyer 30 Decision: Lay over to the Fabraary 15 Property Code Enforcement meering. 31 00 • 1\1 0 8 9 10 ll 12 13 Yeas Na s Absent Blakey � Coleman ✓ Harris � Benanav � Reiter Bostrom � L�m ✓ ( 6 Adopted by Council: Date �� ,� �.,� O Z? Adoption Ce fied by Council Secretary BY� � �1 �..-$.,,�_�� Approved 6y Mayor: \ l ��1 � ��cs'(1 By: 2 Requested by DeparUnent of: � Form Approved by City Attorney � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � 0 0 —�U City Council Offices Gerry Strathman, 266-8560 February 9, 2000 z-z-ZOOo TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES GREEN SHEET mui.re�ro.enaa Ho 1 u��`�- O 1 arccaucz � ❑ a�r�nauav ❑ qrvadut ❑n+.wru�m�r�cFSO.c ❑nuxrJ�tt�a�nrxTo ❑ r�vo�e�art�umr�xrl ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Approving the decisions of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Property Code Enforcement appeals for the following addresses: 624 Summit Avenue, 576-578 Grand Avenue, 426 Pierce Street, 1986 St. Clair Avenue, 1765 Randolph Avenue, 460 Pierce Street, 1319 Grand Avenue, 1646 Selby Avenue, 1585 Rice Street, 550 Wheeler Street North, 661 Lincoln Avenue, 906 Beech Street, Lower Unit. PLANNING CAMMISSION CIB CAMMI'TTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION 117d•,1J:Z•1�iy�7 TRANSACTION rlac mie persorvArm o.er ww�cea under a cowact m mie departrnem9 YES No tias Mis cenoMrm e.er been a dty empbyx9 , YES NO Dcea this persoMrm posceas a slall no[ nama��YY�eeseeU Dy �Y arteM dtY �nDbY�? YES NO Is Mis peraoNfinn a targetetl Ve1doY7 YES I� � all ves answers an semiate aheet and attec� to oreen sheet ,b,�aQ�`w11 ��,��'S 6 £ 63 � � �85�U COSTIREVENUE BUOGH7m (CIRCLE ONE) YEE NO ACTNITY NUMBER �d-�� i tS NOTES OF T'FIE PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MEETING Tuesday, February 1, 2000 Room 330 Courthouse Gerry Strathman, Legislative Heaziug Officer The meeting was called to order at 132 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Mike Urmann, Fire Prevention; Sherry Wings, Fire Prevention 624 Summit Avenue, 576-578 Grand Avenue. 426 Pierce Street.1986 St. Clair Aveuue, 1765 Randolph Avenue. 460 Pierce Street Gwymie Evans, owner, appeared and stated she is seeking a variance on the 20 minute fire rated doors on all the addresses listed above. Mike Urmann stated he has no objection to an appeal on the doors on all six addresses; however, there aze outstanding items on the Summit, Grand, and Pierce buildings that would need to be completed before the appeal comes into effect. Ms. Evans stated 624 Sttmmit is a lazge Victorian building, and it is taking her longer to rehabilitate it. She does good work and more than what the City asks her to do. Mr. Strathman stated he is concerned about one of the items which calls for a smoke detector. Ms. Evans responded that is done. What is the condition of the building, asked Mr. Strathman. Mr. Urmann responded the last time he saw it was a couple of months ago. The owner does beautiful work in the buildings. Ms. Evans stated Mr. Urmann's intention is to close the building down. He has been difficult to work with in especting work to be done in a particular tnne. Mr. Urmann responded he is following the City ordinances, policies, and procedures in enforcing the code. This building's status is under revocarion. That is not Ms. Evans fault because the building was in bad shape when she purchased it. The only way Mr. Urmann can accept an appeal on the doors is if the rest of the building is in compliance. His intention is not to close down the building down, but to keep it in minimum code compliance as the City requires. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with confonniug fire rated doors, 2) the buildings must otherwise be in compliance. He understands Mr. Urmann to say that he will not take any action at this time in withdrawing the certificate of occupancy or condeimiing the building. �O - ��\ PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 2 1319 Grand Avenue Bemazd Sieleni, representing Marie V. Heckel, appeared and requested a variance for fire rated doors. Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal. Cerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconfomung doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconfonunig doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 1646 Selby Avenue (No one appeazed representing the property; however, tenant Sazah Close appeazed toward the end of the meeting.) Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal and told the owner it was not necessary to appear at this heazing. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconfotming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 1585 Rice Street (No one appeared representing the properry.) Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 550 Wheeler Street North Paul Huot, representing Huot Manufacturing Company, appeared and stated he has a 9,000 square foot warehouse attached to the manufacturing plant. It was built in 1966. It has 25 foot high ceilings, and the lowest point under beam is 20 feet. There is racking in the building. Metals parts aze stored there. (Mr. Huot showed an example of what is stored,) The top rack bottom beam is 14 feet and they store above that steel beam. The inspector Sherry Wings cited them for having storage without a sprinkling system above 12 to 15 feet. They have been discussing ways to conect the situation: adding a sprinkler system or switching to non flauunable containers above the 15 foot level. Mr. Huot would like to ask for a variance because W PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 3 the building has been there for a long time and the eapensive cost. The sprinkler system and the pipes would be $82,000. The 440 electrical is not available in this area so he is not awaze of the cost. Gerry Strathman asked what kind of containers aze there now. Mr. Huot responded corrugated and wood wire bound containers. The cost would be $22,000 to $32,000 plus revamping the wazehouse. It would take 50 hours to move the materials azound. As for the sprinkler system, there is not the water pressure on Wheeler Street to maintain a steady flow. Special pumping would have to be installed. Sherry Wings reported Mr. Huot asked for a yeaz estension, but her supervisor was more in favor of a six month eatension. The owner feels he cannot make a six month time limit. And run the business on top of that, added Mr. Huot. Mr. Strathman asked about the fire risk. Ms. Wings responded these are non combustible products, but they are in combustible containers on wood pallets on metal racking. Steel buckles a lot better than wood when heat is transferred onto it. Packaging itself will spread the fire. T4ie code allows for up to 12 feet; the top beam of the rack is at 14. There is a lot of paper there. It is a moderate fire danger. Would a fire in this situation be difficult to fight or normal, asked Mr. Strathman. Ms. Wings responded it is a clean warehouse. It would be a moderate risk. If he were to address some of the combusfible storage containers, that would go enough distance towards addressing fire safety, asked Mr. Strathman. Ms. Wings responded yes, anything over 12 feet in noncombustible containers and noncombustible items would be okay. Mr. Huot stated he would need the time to do this. This warehouse was just moved azound somewhat so he has an idea of how long it takes to do these things. It will take ten weeks just to get the containers. Gerry Strathman granted an extension to December 31, 2000, to replace the combustible storage containers with non combustible storage containers above the top rack. The owner is committed to addressing the problem and this does not appeaz to be an ea�tremely high hazard situation. 661 Lincoln Avenue Larry Rantapaa, owner, appeazed and stated this is a three unit building. It was probably originally a duplex. He has had the building since 1979, and the Third Floor has always been a legai apartment. It has been through numerous certificate of occupancy inspections and has always passed. During the last inspection, the inspector cited the sleeping rooms on the Third Floor for not hauing legal size egress windows. The windows are original. They aze two sma11 windows side by side with a mullion in between. According to the inspector, he could comply with the regulations by opening up 50% of the walls to make an alcove; however, that would oo- �� PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 4 destroy the look of the room. There aze legal egress windows in the apartment: five in the front, two in the reaz. Gerry Strathman asked could a person get out of the windows. Mr. Rantapaa responded he has gotten out of the window. A firefighter with equipment may haue to use an ax to destroy the mullion in beriveen. Mike Urmann reported that opening up the wall by 50% would make it part of the room next to it which has a legal escape window. The minimum height and width of the rivo windows side by side sfill does not meet the size of a legal escape window. Mr. Strathman stated if someone got out of this window, they could leap three stories or have a firefighter get them out the window. Mr. Urmann responded that is correct. Mr. Rantapaa responded in one case, the window goes out onto the roof. At another window, there would be a drop to a second story porch; the rear window would be a drop to a porch roof. There is also an escape from the third floor, which is a trap door ladder that goes down the sYairwell. Under the windows in question, there is a straight drop. There is another building nest door; a firefighter would probably try to enter &om the adjacent roof. Did he consider installing a different window, asked Mr. Strathman. Mr. Rantapaa responded the cost of doing that may be in the thousands. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the legal escape windows in both sleeping rooms of Unit #3 with the following condition: when the building is under rehabilitafion, the windows must be brought up to code. The Fire Department is conect, but he understands how the own�er does not want to tear down interior walls. If firefighters needed to enter this, they would haue no trouble getting in with equipment on hand. Also, a three story drop is not an appealing egress. The aparhnent has hard wired smoke detectors and there is a sprinkler system in the basement, added Mr. Rantapaa. 906 Beech Street, Lower Unit Valerie Tremelat, Southern Mninesota Regional Legal Services, representing Wendy Sawyer, appeazed and stated it is her understanding that Pat Fish had requested a layover of this matter. Gerry Strathman laid over to the February 15 Property Code Enforcement meeting. The meeting was adjoutned at 2:12 p.m. rrri Council File # 00 • \\ 0'R1G1NA�, RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Green Sheet # 100401 Presented Referred To Committee Date i BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby certifies and approves the February 1, 2 200Q decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Properiy Code Enforcement Appeals for ffie following 3 address: 4 Propertv Appealed �� Ap lne lant 6 624 Suuiuiit Avenue. 576-578 Grand Avenue. 426 Pierce Street; Gwynne Evans 7 1986 St. Clair Avenue. 1765 Randol�h Avenue, 460 Pierce Street 8 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforniiug doors with the following conditions: 1) when the 9 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the 10 building must othenvise be in compliance. I 1 1319 Grand Avenue Marie V. Heckel 12 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforming doars with the following condifions: 1) when the 13 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they wiil be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the 14 building must otherwise be in compliance. 15 1646 Selbv Avenue Sazah Close 16 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the 17 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2} the 18 building must otherwise be in compliance. 19 1585 Rice Street Patrick Donahue for Community Options 20 Decision: Variance g�anted on the nonconfornvng doors with the follownag conditions: 1) when the 21 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with confomung fire rated doors, 2) the 22 building must otherwise be in compliance. 23 550 Wheeler Street North Paul Huot for Huot Manufachu•uig Company. 24 Decision: The owner has until December 31, 2000, to replace the combustible storage containers with non 25 combustible storage containers above the top rack. 26 661 Lincoln Avenue Lany Rantapaa 27 Decision: Variance granted on the legal escape windows in both sleeping rooms of Unit #3 with the following 28 condition: when the building is under rehabilitation, the windows must be brought up to code. 29 906 Beech Street. Lower Unit Wendy Sawyer 30 Decision: Lay over to the Fabraary 15 Property Code Enforcement meering. 31 00 • 1\1 0 8 9 10 ll 12 13 Yeas Na s Absent Blakey � Coleman ✓ Harris � Benanav � Reiter Bostrom � L�m ✓ ( 6 Adopted by Council: Date �� ,� �.,� O Z? Adoption Ce fied by Council Secretary BY� � �1 �..-$.,,�_�� Approved 6y Mayor: \ l ��1 � ��cs'(1 By: 2 Requested by DeparUnent of: � Form Approved by City Attorney � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � 0 0 —�U City Council Offices Gerry Strathman, 266-8560 February 9, 2000 z-z-ZOOo TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES GREEN SHEET mui.re�ro.enaa Ho 1 u��`�- O 1 arccaucz � ❑ a�r�nauav ❑ qrvadut ❑n+.wru�m�r�cFSO.c ❑nuxrJ�tt�a�nrxTo ❑ r�vo�e�art�umr�xrl ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Approving the decisions of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Property Code Enforcement appeals for the following addresses: 624 Summit Avenue, 576-578 Grand Avenue, 426 Pierce Street, 1986 St. Clair Avenue, 1765 Randolph Avenue, 460 Pierce Street, 1319 Grand Avenue, 1646 Selby Avenue, 1585 Rice Street, 550 Wheeler Street North, 661 Lincoln Avenue, 906 Beech Street, Lower Unit. PLANNING CAMMISSION CIB CAMMI'TTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION 117d•,1J:Z•1�iy�7 TRANSACTION rlac mie persorvArm o.er ww�cea under a cowact m mie departrnem9 YES No tias Mis cenoMrm e.er been a dty empbyx9 , YES NO Dcea this persoMrm posceas a slall no[ nama��YY�eeseeU Dy �Y arteM dtY �nDbY�? YES NO Is Mis peraoNfinn a targetetl Ve1doY7 YES I� � all ves answers an semiate aheet and attec� to oreen sheet ,b,�aQ�`w11 ��,��'S 6 £ 63 � � �85�U COSTIREVENUE BUOGH7m (CIRCLE ONE) YEE NO ACTNITY NUMBER �d-�� i tS NOTES OF T'FIE PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MEETING Tuesday, February 1, 2000 Room 330 Courthouse Gerry Strathman, Legislative Heaziug Officer The meeting was called to order at 132 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Mike Urmann, Fire Prevention; Sherry Wings, Fire Prevention 624 Summit Avenue, 576-578 Grand Avenue. 426 Pierce Street.1986 St. Clair Aveuue, 1765 Randolph Avenue. 460 Pierce Street Gwymie Evans, owner, appeared and stated she is seeking a variance on the 20 minute fire rated doors on all the addresses listed above. Mike Urmann stated he has no objection to an appeal on the doors on all six addresses; however, there aze outstanding items on the Summit, Grand, and Pierce buildings that would need to be completed before the appeal comes into effect. Ms. Evans stated 624 Sttmmit is a lazge Victorian building, and it is taking her longer to rehabilitate it. She does good work and more than what the City asks her to do. Mr. Strathman stated he is concerned about one of the items which calls for a smoke detector. Ms. Evans responded that is done. What is the condition of the building, asked Mr. Strathman. Mr. Urmann responded the last time he saw it was a couple of months ago. The owner does beautiful work in the buildings. Ms. Evans stated Mr. Urmann's intention is to close the building down. He has been difficult to work with in especting work to be done in a particular tnne. Mr. Urmann responded he is following the City ordinances, policies, and procedures in enforcing the code. This building's status is under revocarion. That is not Ms. Evans fault because the building was in bad shape when she purchased it. The only way Mr. Urmann can accept an appeal on the doors is if the rest of the building is in compliance. His intention is not to close down the building down, but to keep it in minimum code compliance as the City requires. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with confonniug fire rated doors, 2) the buildings must otherwise be in compliance. He understands Mr. Urmann to say that he will not take any action at this time in withdrawing the certificate of occupancy or condeimiing the building. �O - ��\ PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 2 1319 Grand Avenue Bemazd Sieleni, representing Marie V. Heckel, appeared and requested a variance for fire rated doors. Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal. Cerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconfomung doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconfonunig doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 1646 Selby Avenue (No one appeazed representing the property; however, tenant Sazah Close appeazed toward the end of the meeting.) Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal and told the owner it was not necessary to appear at this heazing. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconfotming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 1585 Rice Street (No one appeared representing the properry.) Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 550 Wheeler Street North Paul Huot, representing Huot Manufacturing Company, appeared and stated he has a 9,000 square foot warehouse attached to the manufacturing plant. It was built in 1966. It has 25 foot high ceilings, and the lowest point under beam is 20 feet. There is racking in the building. Metals parts aze stored there. (Mr. Huot showed an example of what is stored,) The top rack bottom beam is 14 feet and they store above that steel beam. The inspector Sherry Wings cited them for having storage without a sprinkling system above 12 to 15 feet. They have been discussing ways to conect the situation: adding a sprinkler system or switching to non flauunable containers above the 15 foot level. Mr. Huot would like to ask for a variance because W PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 3 the building has been there for a long time and the eapensive cost. The sprinkler system and the pipes would be $82,000. The 440 electrical is not available in this area so he is not awaze of the cost. Gerry Strathman asked what kind of containers aze there now. Mr. Huot responded corrugated and wood wire bound containers. The cost would be $22,000 to $32,000 plus revamping the wazehouse. It would take 50 hours to move the materials azound. As for the sprinkler system, there is not the water pressure on Wheeler Street to maintain a steady flow. Special pumping would have to be installed. Sherry Wings reported Mr. Huot asked for a yeaz estension, but her supervisor was more in favor of a six month eatension. The owner feels he cannot make a six month time limit. And run the business on top of that, added Mr. Huot. Mr. Strathman asked about the fire risk. Ms. Wings responded these are non combustible products, but they are in combustible containers on wood pallets on metal racking. Steel buckles a lot better than wood when heat is transferred onto it. Packaging itself will spread the fire. T4ie code allows for up to 12 feet; the top beam of the rack is at 14. There is a lot of paper there. It is a moderate fire danger. Would a fire in this situation be difficult to fight or normal, asked Mr. Strathman. Ms. Wings responded it is a clean warehouse. It would be a moderate risk. If he were to address some of the combusfible storage containers, that would go enough distance towards addressing fire safety, asked Mr. Strathman. Ms. Wings responded yes, anything over 12 feet in noncombustible containers and noncombustible items would be okay. Mr. Huot stated he would need the time to do this. This warehouse was just moved azound somewhat so he has an idea of how long it takes to do these things. It will take ten weeks just to get the containers. Gerry Strathman granted an extension to December 31, 2000, to replace the combustible storage containers with non combustible storage containers above the top rack. The owner is committed to addressing the problem and this does not appeaz to be an ea�tremely high hazard situation. 661 Lincoln Avenue Larry Rantapaa, owner, appeazed and stated this is a three unit building. It was probably originally a duplex. He has had the building since 1979, and the Third Floor has always been a legai apartment. It has been through numerous certificate of occupancy inspections and has always passed. During the last inspection, the inspector cited the sleeping rooms on the Third Floor for not hauing legal size egress windows. The windows are original. They aze two sma11 windows side by side with a mullion in between. According to the inspector, he could comply with the regulations by opening up 50% of the walls to make an alcove; however, that would oo- �� PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 4 destroy the look of the room. There aze legal egress windows in the apartment: five in the front, two in the reaz. Gerry Strathman asked could a person get out of the windows. Mr. Rantapaa responded he has gotten out of the window. A firefighter with equipment may haue to use an ax to destroy the mullion in beriveen. Mike Urmann reported that opening up the wall by 50% would make it part of the room next to it which has a legal escape window. The minimum height and width of the rivo windows side by side sfill does not meet the size of a legal escape window. Mr. Strathman stated if someone got out of this window, they could leap three stories or have a firefighter get them out the window. Mr. Urmann responded that is correct. Mr. Rantapaa responded in one case, the window goes out onto the roof. At another window, there would be a drop to a second story porch; the rear window would be a drop to a porch roof. There is also an escape from the third floor, which is a trap door ladder that goes down the sYairwell. Under the windows in question, there is a straight drop. There is another building nest door; a firefighter would probably try to enter &om the adjacent roof. Did he consider installing a different window, asked Mr. Strathman. Mr. Rantapaa responded the cost of doing that may be in the thousands. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the legal escape windows in both sleeping rooms of Unit #3 with the following condition: when the building is under rehabilitafion, the windows must be brought up to code. The Fire Department is conect, but he understands how the own�er does not want to tear down interior walls. If firefighters needed to enter this, they would haue no trouble getting in with equipment on hand. Also, a three story drop is not an appealing egress. The aparhnent has hard wired smoke detectors and there is a sprinkler system in the basement, added Mr. Rantapaa. 906 Beech Street, Lower Unit Valerie Tremelat, Southern Mninesota Regional Legal Services, representing Wendy Sawyer, appeazed and stated it is her understanding that Pat Fish had requested a layover of this matter. Gerry Strathman laid over to the February 15 Property Code Enforcement meeting. The meeting was adjoutned at 2:12 p.m. rrri Council File # 00 • \\ 0'R1G1NA�, RESOLUTION CITY OF SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA Green Sheet # 100401 Presented Referred To Committee Date i BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Saint Paul hereby certifies and approves the February 1, 2 200Q decision of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Properiy Code Enforcement Appeals for ffie following 3 address: 4 Propertv Appealed �� Ap lne lant 6 624 Suuiuiit Avenue. 576-578 Grand Avenue. 426 Pierce Street; Gwynne Evans 7 1986 St. Clair Avenue. 1765 Randol�h Avenue, 460 Pierce Street 8 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforniiug doors with the following conditions: 1) when the 9 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the 10 building must othenvise be in compliance. I 1 1319 Grand Avenue Marie V. Heckel 12 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforming doars with the following condifions: 1) when the 13 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they wiil be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the 14 building must otherwise be in compliance. 15 1646 Selbv Avenue Sazah Close 16 Decision: Variance granted on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the 17 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2} the 18 building must otherwise be in compliance. 19 1585 Rice Street Patrick Donahue for Community Options 20 Decision: Variance g�anted on the nonconfornvng doors with the follownag conditions: 1) when the 21 nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with confomung fire rated doors, 2) the 22 building must otherwise be in compliance. 23 550 Wheeler Street North Paul Huot for Huot Manufachu•uig Company. 24 Decision: The owner has until December 31, 2000, to replace the combustible storage containers with non 25 combustible storage containers above the top rack. 26 661 Lincoln Avenue Lany Rantapaa 27 Decision: Variance granted on the legal escape windows in both sleeping rooms of Unit #3 with the following 28 condition: when the building is under rehabilitation, the windows must be brought up to code. 29 906 Beech Street. Lower Unit Wendy Sawyer 30 Decision: Lay over to the Fabraary 15 Property Code Enforcement meering. 31 00 • 1\1 0 8 9 10 ll 12 13 Yeas Na s Absent Blakey � Coleman ✓ Harris � Benanav � Reiter Bostrom � L�m ✓ ( 6 Adopted by Council: Date �� ,� �.,� O Z? Adoption Ce fied by Council Secretary BY� � �1 �..-$.,,�_�� Approved 6y Mayor: \ l ��1 � ��cs'(1 By: 2 Requested by DeparUnent of: � Form Approved by City Attorney � Approved by Mayor for Submission to Council � 0 0 —�U City Council Offices Gerry Strathman, 266-8560 February 9, 2000 z-z-ZOOo TOTAL # OF SIGNATURE PAGES GREEN SHEET mui.re�ro.enaa Ho 1 u��`�- O 1 arccaucz � ❑ a�r�nauav ❑ qrvadut ❑n+.wru�m�r�cFSO.c ❑nuxrJ�tt�a�nrxTo ❑ r�vo�e�art�umr�xrl ❑ (CLIP ALL LOCATIONS FOR SIGNATURE) Approving the decisions of the Legislative Hearing Officer on Property Code Enforcement appeals for the following addresses: 624 Summit Avenue, 576-578 Grand Avenue, 426 Pierce Street, 1986 St. Clair Avenue, 1765 Randolph Avenue, 460 Pierce Street, 1319 Grand Avenue, 1646 Selby Avenue, 1585 Rice Street, 550 Wheeler Street North, 661 Lincoln Avenue, 906 Beech Street, Lower Unit. PLANNING CAMMISSION CIB CAMMI'TTEE CIVIL SERVICE CAMMISSION 117d•,1J:Z•1�iy�7 TRANSACTION rlac mie persorvArm o.er ww�cea under a cowact m mie departrnem9 YES No tias Mis cenoMrm e.er been a dty empbyx9 , YES NO Dcea this persoMrm posceas a slall no[ nama��YY�eeseeU Dy �Y arteM dtY �nDbY�? YES NO Is Mis peraoNfinn a targetetl Ve1doY7 YES I� � all ves answers an semiate aheet and attec� to oreen sheet ,b,�aQ�`w11 ��,��'S 6 £ 63 � � �85�U COSTIREVENUE BUOGH7m (CIRCLE ONE) YEE NO ACTNITY NUMBER �d-�� i tS NOTES OF T'FIE PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT MEETING Tuesday, February 1, 2000 Room 330 Courthouse Gerry Strathman, Legislative Heaziug Officer The meeting was called to order at 132 p.m. STAFF PRESENT: Mike Urmann, Fire Prevention; Sherry Wings, Fire Prevention 624 Summit Avenue, 576-578 Grand Avenue. 426 Pierce Street.1986 St. Clair Aveuue, 1765 Randolph Avenue. 460 Pierce Street Gwymie Evans, owner, appeared and stated she is seeking a variance on the 20 minute fire rated doors on all the addresses listed above. Mike Urmann stated he has no objection to an appeal on the doors on all six addresses; however, there aze outstanding items on the Summit, Grand, and Pierce buildings that would need to be completed before the appeal comes into effect. Ms. Evans stated 624 Sttmmit is a lazge Victorian building, and it is taking her longer to rehabilitate it. She does good work and more than what the City asks her to do. Mr. Strathman stated he is concerned about one of the items which calls for a smoke detector. Ms. Evans responded that is done. What is the condition of the building, asked Mr. Strathman. Mr. Urmann responded the last time he saw it was a couple of months ago. The owner does beautiful work in the buildings. Ms. Evans stated Mr. Urmann's intention is to close the building down. He has been difficult to work with in especting work to be done in a particular tnne. Mr. Urmann responded he is following the City ordinances, policies, and procedures in enforcing the code. This building's status is under revocarion. That is not Ms. Evans fault because the building was in bad shape when she purchased it. The only way Mr. Urmann can accept an appeal on the doors is if the rest of the building is in compliance. His intention is not to close down the building down, but to keep it in minimum code compliance as the City requires. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with confonniug fire rated doors, 2) the buildings must otherwise be in compliance. He understands Mr. Urmann to say that he will not take any action at this time in withdrawing the certificate of occupancy or condeimiing the building. �O - ��\ PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 2 1319 Grand Avenue Bemazd Sieleni, representing Marie V. Heckel, appeared and requested a variance for fire rated doors. Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal. Cerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconfomung doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconfonunig doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 1646 Selby Avenue (No one appeazed representing the property; however, tenant Sazah Close appeazed toward the end of the meeting.) Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal and told the owner it was not necessary to appear at this heazing. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconfotming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 1585 Rice Street (No one appeared representing the properry.) Mike Urmann reported he had no objection to an appeal. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the nonconforming doors with the following conditions: 1) when the nonconforming doors need to be replaced, they will be replaced with conforming fire rated doors, 2) the building must otherwise be in compliance. 550 Wheeler Street North Paul Huot, representing Huot Manufacturing Company, appeared and stated he has a 9,000 square foot warehouse attached to the manufacturing plant. It was built in 1966. It has 25 foot high ceilings, and the lowest point under beam is 20 feet. There is racking in the building. Metals parts aze stored there. (Mr. Huot showed an example of what is stored,) The top rack bottom beam is 14 feet and they store above that steel beam. The inspector Sherry Wings cited them for having storage without a sprinkling system above 12 to 15 feet. They have been discussing ways to conect the situation: adding a sprinkler system or switching to non flauunable containers above the 15 foot level. Mr. Huot would like to ask for a variance because W PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 3 the building has been there for a long time and the eapensive cost. The sprinkler system and the pipes would be $82,000. The 440 electrical is not available in this area so he is not awaze of the cost. Gerry Strathman asked what kind of containers aze there now. Mr. Huot responded corrugated and wood wire bound containers. The cost would be $22,000 to $32,000 plus revamping the wazehouse. It would take 50 hours to move the materials azound. As for the sprinkler system, there is not the water pressure on Wheeler Street to maintain a steady flow. Special pumping would have to be installed. Sherry Wings reported Mr. Huot asked for a yeaz estension, but her supervisor was more in favor of a six month eatension. The owner feels he cannot make a six month time limit. And run the business on top of that, added Mr. Huot. Mr. Strathman asked about the fire risk. Ms. Wings responded these are non combustible products, but they are in combustible containers on wood pallets on metal racking. Steel buckles a lot better than wood when heat is transferred onto it. Packaging itself will spread the fire. T4ie code allows for up to 12 feet; the top beam of the rack is at 14. There is a lot of paper there. It is a moderate fire danger. Would a fire in this situation be difficult to fight or normal, asked Mr. Strathman. Ms. Wings responded it is a clean warehouse. It would be a moderate risk. If he were to address some of the combusfible storage containers, that would go enough distance towards addressing fire safety, asked Mr. Strathman. Ms. Wings responded yes, anything over 12 feet in noncombustible containers and noncombustible items would be okay. Mr. Huot stated he would need the time to do this. This warehouse was just moved azound somewhat so he has an idea of how long it takes to do these things. It will take ten weeks just to get the containers. Gerry Strathman granted an extension to December 31, 2000, to replace the combustible storage containers with non combustible storage containers above the top rack. The owner is committed to addressing the problem and this does not appeaz to be an ea�tremely high hazard situation. 661 Lincoln Avenue Larry Rantapaa, owner, appeazed and stated this is a three unit building. It was probably originally a duplex. He has had the building since 1979, and the Third Floor has always been a legai apartment. It has been through numerous certificate of occupancy inspections and has always passed. During the last inspection, the inspector cited the sleeping rooms on the Third Floor for not hauing legal size egress windows. The windows are original. They aze two sma11 windows side by side with a mullion in between. According to the inspector, he could comply with the regulations by opening up 50% of the walls to make an alcove; however, that would oo- �� PROPERTY CODE ENFORCEMENT NOTES OF 2-1-2000 Page 4 destroy the look of the room. There aze legal egress windows in the apartment: five in the front, two in the reaz. Gerry Strathman asked could a person get out of the windows. Mr. Rantapaa responded he has gotten out of the window. A firefighter with equipment may haue to use an ax to destroy the mullion in beriveen. Mike Urmann reported that opening up the wall by 50% would make it part of the room next to it which has a legal escape window. The minimum height and width of the rivo windows side by side sfill does not meet the size of a legal escape window. Mr. Strathman stated if someone got out of this window, they could leap three stories or have a firefighter get them out the window. Mr. Urmann responded that is correct. Mr. Rantapaa responded in one case, the window goes out onto the roof. At another window, there would be a drop to a second story porch; the rear window would be a drop to a porch roof. There is also an escape from the third floor, which is a trap door ladder that goes down the sYairwell. Under the windows in question, there is a straight drop. There is another building nest door; a firefighter would probably try to enter &om the adjacent roof. Did he consider installing a different window, asked Mr. Strathman. Mr. Rantapaa responded the cost of doing that may be in the thousands. Gerry Strathman granted a variance on the legal escape windows in both sleeping rooms of Unit #3 with the following condition: when the building is under rehabilitafion, the windows must be brought up to code. The Fire Department is conect, but he understands how the own�er does not want to tear down interior walls. If firefighters needed to enter this, they would haue no trouble getting in with equipment on hand. Also, a three story drop is not an appealing egress. The aparhnent has hard wired smoke detectors and there is a sprinkler system in the basement, added Mr. Rantapaa. 906 Beech Street, Lower Unit Valerie Tremelat, Southern Mninesota Regional Legal Services, representing Wendy Sawyer, appeazed and stated it is her understanding that Pat Fish had requested a layover of this matter. Gerry Strathman laid over to the February 15 Property Code Enforcement meeting. The meeting was adjoutned at 2:12 p.m. rrri