Impact your City
THE CITY AS A CLIENT
Do you have questions about contracts, quality control standards, or invoicing with the City/County/State as a client? Let us know! We are considering hosting a training or event next year. Notify Sally Fly HERE.
POSSIBLE ACTION BY YOU
LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE REWRITE
Now that Imagine Austin is adopted, one of the City's next steps is overhauling Austin's Land Development Code. We are at the very early stages of determining where AIA Austin will be most needed. If the words "Land Development Code" get you excited, please send your name to Planning Liaison Bart Whatley, AIA HERE.
POSSIBLE ACTION BY YOU
SOUND MITIGATION ISSUE
In response to a City Council Resolution, city staff has proposed laminated glass as a noise mitigation solution in the downtown area. Staff is proposing a technical code amendment to Section 2410 of the Building Code to require glazing on Group R buildings above 5 stories in height such that "Glazing exposed to the exterior and used as part of a curtain wall assembly, window and/or guardrail located on buildings that are over 5 stories in height must be laminated with two or more glass plies of equal thickness and the same glass type. Laminated glass shall comply with Category II of CPSC 16 CFR Part 1201 or Class A of ANSI Z97.1". The applicability is city-wide. Staff has reported that laminated glass (1/4" laminated glass -- 1/2" air -- 1/4" laminated glass) can have an STC rating of 42.
8-27-2012 Presentation to Design Commission. Notes from meeting: 1) Concerns about discouraging development; 2) Concerns about incentivizing reduction in glazing (quality of streetscape issue); 3) STC ratings address mid-range sound, what is the effectiveness on bass? 4) Consider city work sound-proofing homes and schools around AIBA.
10-25-2012 Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals met on sound mitigation.
1) DAA presented letter against proposed measures
2) Board had a brief discussion and the matter was postponed to the 12-19-2012 meeting of the Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals.
11-26-2012 Design Commission letter regarding sound mitigation issued
Next steps: Goes to the Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals again on 12-19-2012. Then the matter will be presented to the City Council where staff will have an executive summary and the BFCBOA will have a recommendation. Staff is proposing to include the sound mitigation measures in the pending amendments to the 2012 International Building Code.
Referenced documents can be found HERE
Opportunity for AIA Member input: Write Dan McNabb HERE with the City of Austin, attend the December 19th Building & Fire Code Board of Appeals meeting, and attend the not-yet-scheduled City Council meeting where this matter is considered.
POSSIBLE ACTION BY YOU
RIVERSIDE CORRIDOR MASTER PLAN
Please review the draft AIA Austin recommendations for the Riverside Corridor Master Plan. Document Here If you have feedback or suggestions, please email Sally@aiaaustin.org. by December 14.POSSIBLE ACTION BY YOU
2012 INTERNATIONAL CODES
January - The 2012 International Codes are headed for City Council. Are you studying up on the 2012 Building Codes? Are there new concepts where architects need further education? You are not alone! Send your ideas and trouble spots to our Commercial Liaison Michael Hsu, AIA HERE.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
RESIDENTIAL PERMITTING BACKLOG
AIA Austin leadership working with City Staff to find solutions. Recent news story HERE Stay connected to reports from City Residential Liaison, Stuart Sampley, AIA via the AIA Austin website.
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
COMMERCIAL DESIGN STANDARDS
AIA AUSTIN Commercial Liaison, Michael Hsu, AIA along with other stakeholders and City Staff are working on proposed revisions to Subchapter E - stay connected to this issue through the AIA Austin website
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
AIRPORT BLVD. FORM BASED CODES UPDATE
The consultant hired by the city is working on a draft of the code. Items being addressed include character zones, regional water quality, infrastructure, open space, transition areas, and building form standards. Meetings with the Advisory Group and the community will start towards the end of January 2013 and February. Neighborhood meetings will commence in March. The proposed could make it to city boards and commissions, and ultimately City Council in summer 2013.
AND, AN IMPORTANT HISTORY LESSON
On December 4, 2012 Architecture's legislative patron saint, Congressman Jack Brooks of Beaumont died.
Brooks, a 42-year veteran of the U.S. House, authored the federal law establishing Qualifications Based Selection (QBS) in law. His "Brooks Act" became the model for QBS laws for states through the country, including Texas in 1972.
Please take a moment to remember Congressman Jack Brooks well and fondly.
* Note from David Lancaster: Brooks was good friends with, and strongly supported by, 1961 TSA President Llewellyn "Skeet" Pitts of Beaumont, who encouraged Brooks to file the bill. With the support of President Lyndon Johnson, who was meanwhile encouraged by Austin architect Max Brooks, the bill passed in 1965. For more
See what can be done when a couple of architects get together and advocate for good legislation!
