HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8451 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8451
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 3, 2002
SUBJECT: Certificate of Occupancy Inspections for the Old Hicks Airport
Properties
On October 29, 2002 the City Council approved a resolution adopting the third amendment to the
annexation plan (M&C PZ-2420 -Revised). This resolution included approximately 1,238 acres known as
Eagle Mountain 8W and 10 and approximately 7,744 acres known as the 287 Zone. During the Council's
consideration of this item, Ms. Nancy Terrell, a business owner in the Old Hicks Airport area of the 287
Zone, voiced concerns of possible impacts on the businesses in her area. Staff offered to meet with
business owners in the area and perform cursory inspections of the properties.
On November 5, 2002, letters were sent to 25 property owners in the Old Hicks Airport Area advising of a
public information meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 13ffi at 4 p.m. at the Summerglen Branch
Library. The public information meeting was attended by 8 property owners / business operators. A
discussion of limited purpose annexation was conducted as well as the process to obtain a Certificate of
Occupancy (CO) for each business. It was explained that during the 3-year period prior to full purpose
annexation, City ordinances that relate to planning, zoning, health and safety would apply to these
properties. These ordinances are more clearly identified in the Regulatory Plan. In general, properties
within a limited purpose annexation would be zoned, building permits would be required but few direct
services would be provided during the 3-year period. From the Fire Code perspective, only construction
related items would be enforced and operational inspections (annual fire inspections of non-residential
uses) would not apply until full purpose annexation. It was explained that the CO inspections would be
conducted to determine if there were any major life safety issues. Should any life safety issues be found
the business operator would need to make the appropriate corrections prior to a CO being issued.
To better determine the possible impact of the CO inspections, individuals were offered a cursory
inspection by the Development and Fire Departments. Five individual businesses requested inspections at
the meeting.
On November 20 and 21, 2002, the field inspections were conducted. The findings of these inspections are
summarized as follows:
Building
❑ Exit doors should have a thumb turn device on the inside of dead bolts.
❑ One business needs to provide an exit from the shop to the public way
Electrical
❑ Exposed wiring (Romex running outside the walls) was noted on a number of businesses. These
conditions should be corrected by placing the wiring inside the walls or co tgIlleight-ket-,
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above the floor.
❑ Numerous notes of uncovered boxes. All boxes should have protective covers.l
It
• Etectrical joints not inside a box.
,
❑ Water heater wired to two breakers. To do so requires a bar to be put over th breaker switche� s
that both switches are turned on or off at the same time.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
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INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8451
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council December 3, 2002
SUBJECT: Certificate of Occupancy Inspections for the Old Hicks Airport
Properties
❑ Ground fault plugs should be installed in areas where water might be present or children are kept.
❑ Light switch that was not in an electrical box.
❑ Wiring hanging out of the electrical boxes with no plugs, light or switches being installed. The
wiring cannot be left hanging out. They need to finish the job or cap the wires, fold them into the
box and install covers.
❑ Label breaker boxes.
❑ Fill in holes in boxes where they are not being used.
Fire Code (Not applicable until full annexation)
❑ Extension cords in place of permanent wiring
❑ Fire extinguishers in need of mounting, service or additional units needed.
❑ Flammable liquids storage out of proper cabinets. Propane tanks stored improperly.
❑ Combustible materials in the exit pathway,
❑ Use of candies
❑ Impact protection needed around above ground fuel tanks.
F00"111 ❑ Cutting and welding permit would be required.
In summary, only minor repairs to exit doors will be necessary to address life safety issues related to the
building code. To comply with the electrical code's life safety issues will require property owners /
business operators to properly secure and cover wiring that is a hazard to occupants of the building. The
Fire Inspectors found no major life safety issues under the limited application of the fire code during the
term of limited purpose annexation. The Fire Department did note the items that would need attention
under operational inspections should the area be fully annexed in 3-years.
While the necessary repairs to address life safety issues will come with a cost to each owner / operator, the
results will be that individuals and property will be safer. Staff believes none of the identified items would
be so costly to jeopardize the continued operations of any business.
Should the Council have additional questions regarding this issue, please contact Bob Riley, Development
Director.
Gary W. Jackson
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS