Orono Bldg Code Board of Appeals-1997

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MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF APPEALS MEETING HELD JUNE 25, 1997 Oman sta.ted he felt it was his duty to enforce the current code and believes there is a change in use and occupancy classification. Bellows asked what the sprinkler system would cost. Schneider responded about $40,000. The limitation is the 7' x 25' tank. The foundation is about 2' of rock. Oman noted that there are residences on Bohns Point Road and Bracketts Point with underground water tanks. Bellows asked what causes the need for a sprinkler. Schneider responded it was 8,500 square feet or two stories. They have two stories even though they are well below the 8,500 square feet. Neal Webber stated he called the State about the occupancy classification. They responded that they would look at the most recent use and apply simple logic. The State had told Oman they would classify it as E occupancy and continue on that basis. Webber felt it should be an E occupancy as that is what the building was designed for. Kohnen noted that in 1976 Mr. Olson was ready to approve an F-3 occupancy and that is where he feels it should be. When there is a question,the occupancy stays in the lowest classification. Schneider noted the documentation of recent years was in error on 3 or 4 different occasions yet the Board would accept information from 1976. Bellows explained that Mr. Olson's information in 1976 came closest to issuing a certificate of occupancy as F-2 occupancy. Schneider asked if they wanted the building used as a school,as a house or bulldozed. It has always been used as a school. Rye asked if there was a "to-do" list. Oman responded there was not. Without a change in classification,they don't have to do any building improvements. Roelofs asked how the building would be classified today if none of the past records existed. Oman responded it would be an E occupancy, determined by the building official. Bellows stated that twice in the history of the building the intent was to change the classification. The B-2 classification was used for Atelier LeSueur because rooms were used for educational purposes beyond the 12th grade with less than 50 occupants in a room. Schneider responded the B-2 classification was a suggestion from Oman. T'he fact is that children were being ta.ught there for more than 12 hours a week or 4 hours in a day which is the threshold. B-2 is adult education only but Atelier LeSueur also taught children. He did not feel the building was ever occupied as a B-2 use as there was always mixed education. 10