Commission adopts revisions to AB28 to formalize pre-application and pre-addendum plan review

The Building Inspection Commission unanimously adopted revisions to Administrative Bulletin AB28 on March 20, formalizing DBI's pre-application and pre-addendum plan-review procedures.

Kirk Means of DBI's Technical Services division described AB28 as an established program used for pre-application consultations that let designers pay for senior staff time to resolve conceptual questions before submitting full plans. The revisions add language requiring that decisions or letters produced from pre-application/-addendum meetings be placed on the project plans and clarify how long pre-application determinations remain valid; the draft also addresses when field inspectors should honor pre-application determinations and how to handle later field changes or appeals.

The proposed administrative change makes pre-addendum meetings chargeable consistent with pre-application practice; the Fire Department and DBI staff supported charging fees for pre-addendum meetings because they require senior staff time. Fire officials described the meetings as a "bargain" that expedites review for complex projects and noted DBI and Fire supervisors typically attend.

Commissioners raised questions about conflict resolution when field inspectors encounter changed conditions; DBI and Fire officials said the field may approve minor changes but substantial alterations can be appealed and are handled through the department's chain of command and the appeals process.

A motion to adopt the AB28 revisions was made, seconded and carried unanimously.