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Committee pauses facade‑inspection ordinance after discussion of downtown window failures
Summary
Following multiple recent window failures in downtown high‑rise buildings, the committee discussed an ordinance requiring facade inspection reports for post‑1998 buildings of 15+ stories and continued the item one week so DBI can pursue an independent engineering study and confirm staffing and review timelines.
President Aaron Peskin outlined recent downtown glazing failures and presented an ordinance to amend the existing building code to require facade inspection reports for buildings of 15 or more stories constructed after 1998. Peskin said several recently constructed buildings experienced window failures, and that prior inspection tranches focused on much older buildings. He told the committee DBI used emergency authority to require reports following storm damage, but that emergency authority will expire and DBI is exploring contracting with an independent engineering firm to establish glazing‑system criteria for inspections.
The proposed ordinance would require approximately 71 buildings (post‑1998, 15+ stories) to produce facade inspection reports before the winter storm season (committee discussed dates of Nov. 1 or Dec. 1). Members urged DBI to ensure timely review, noting the department’s current backlog on earlier tranches. The committee agreed to continue the item one week to allow DBI to assess engineering‑study timelines and capacity for review; the motion to continue passed 3–0.
Next steps: DBI was asked to pursue an engineering study while using remaining emergency authority, to estimate staffing and fee recovery needs for timely review, and to return with a recommended inspection deadline.
