Submitted By
Tammie Grossman, Director, Development Customer Services
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 (“Buildings”), Article 11 (“Fuel Gas Code”) of the Oak Park Village Code to Adopt the 2021 International Code Council Fuel Gas Code as Recommended by the Building Advisory Commission
End
Overview
Overview
The Village periodically reviews and adopts updated building and electric codes to attract construction growth by accepting current trends and implementing more modern approved materials and safer building practices. The Building Code Advisory Commission is recommending that the Village Board adopt the 2021 editions of the International Building Code with decreased number of amendments to simplify and streamline the Village’s building code process.
End
Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Ordinance.
Background
On September 18, 2020, the Village adopted the 2018 edition of the International Code Council Building Codes along with the 2017 edition of the National Electric Code, which became effective on September 21, 2020. During 2021 and 2022 the Building Code Advisory Commission reviewed, discussed, and recommended the International Code Council’s Fuel Gas Code. The Commission discussed the new electrification code but felt it necessary to have this code also, based upon the understanding that many existing fuel gas installations/situations will still need a fuel gas code to abide by.
The Village of Oak Park has published its own codes from 1916 through the 1960s. The Codes evolved rapidly through changing trends and new technologies. As the construction industry became more organized, the major three regional code organizations across the United States ultimately merged into the International Code Council (ICC). Since the 1960s, the Village had relied on the professional development of a code organization to provide a detailed and thorough code. Often states adopt the International Code Council Codes. However, in Illinois, the responsibility of code adoptions rests in the hands of the individual municipality, with the exception of the state-mandated Plumbing Code and Energy Code. Hence, staff is recommending this amendment today to update our existing codes through the Board’s approval of this recommendation.
Fiscal Impact
Funds were budgeted in the books & subscriptions account (1001.46250.101.550606) in fiscal year 2023 to cover the expense of new code books for staff.
DEI Impact
Adoption of the code will result in a reduction in fossil fuel usage.
Alternatives
The Village Board could elect to not adopt the recommended code changes and maintain the existing 2018 editions of the Code. However, it should be noted that the latest codes reflect the latest technologies and construction materials.
Previous Board Action
The Village Board, in 2019, had previously accepted the Building Codes Advisory Commission’s recommendations and adopted the newer updated Code editions. The 2018 editions of the International Codes currently in existence were adopted by the Village Board in October 2019 and took effect in 2020.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Building Code Advisory Commission is recommending that the Village Board adopt the 2021 editions of the International Building Codes with a decreased number of amendments to simplify and streamline the Village’s building code process.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
N/A
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A