Council tables update to international building codes pending planning and zoning review

The Freeport City Council voted 4–1 May 19 to table an ordinance that would adopt newer editions of the International Codes (moving from 2014/2015 editions toward the 2020/2021 editions) and related local code realignments.

Miss Foster, the city’s building official, told the council the update would improve Freeport’s ISO grading and reflect advances in construction practices and disaster-mitigation standards. She asked for a 60-day grace period so plan applications already submitted would be processed under the prior code editions. “Adopting and enforcing newer codes demonstrates a greater commitment to the public safety and can lead to better building performance, reducing loss from events like fires and natural disasters,” Foster said.

Council members and staff debated process and review. Councilman Pina moved to table so Planning & Zoning could review and offer section-specific recommendations; Councilman Davis seconded. Foster confirmed the update had not yet been presented to Planning & Zoning. Chief Motley and Foster said some realignment of chapter references and updates to the fire-code references had been made to address attorney concerns and to reflect the reorganization of chapters in the newer code editions.

Council members said Planning & Zoning has historically reviewed code changes and that the commission’s input would be valuable. One council member said he would act as liaison to planning and zoning to coordinate section-by-section feedback. The motion to table carried 4–1; the mayor voted no.

Action: motion to table by Councilman Pina, seconded by Councilman Davis; vote 4–1 (Mayor opposed).