2007-02-22 Engineering Analysis
FE8-22-2007 THU 02:45 PM TOWN & COUNTRY HOMES
FAX NO. 9529443437
p, 02
~/.;. ~ . - . _.. - . -~~ 1V
[ ~1Jovnanian. J
.... .__ _ _. . lfqIrJ.e~_......
RECEIVED
FES 2 l. 2007
February 22. 2007
Building Inspections
~
Mr. Joo Sutherland. Building Official
City of Albertville
5959 Main Avenue North
Albertville, MN 55301
Re: Single Family Construction
Hunter's Pw."S Addition
Dear Jon:
Thank you for meeting with me, Mitch Lintin and Jason Wutzell today regarding the engineerins analysis
of our single family homes being conf;tructccl in Hun(er's Pass. A.<; we discussed. the dllta provided for
your review is based upon IRC criteria for C~tegory B, pursuant to IRC Section 301.
You have advised uS of your desire to see framing sYf;lem engineering that addresf;es its structural integrity
pursuant to IRC Section 301 for Category C. As we discussed today, we do not believe that Hunter's Pass
if; a wholesale: Category C development, and further contend that specific terms contained .in IRC 301
Category C. upon which one might rdy to arrive at such a conclusion, are being t.,ken out of context.
Our position on this matter il': that Hunl:cl"s Pass is a "suburban afca" with "numerous closely f;paced ...
single family dwellings..... which is Category B by definition. Although Category C contains a provision
for'B homes adjacent to C-type terrain. the descriptions assigned to Category C are virtUally the opposite of
those found in Category B. Terms like "open terrain with scattered obstructions", "'1lat open country" and
"shorelines in hurricane prone regions" are certainly nnl: suburban in natUre nor are they defined in the lRC.
R201.4 says that where terms are not defined they shall have ordinarily accepted meanings such as the
cnm:exl ;mJ)lieR_
The contextual implications of these Category C terms, according to various dictionaries and other
granunatical sources. are an direct references to rural, not suburban, conditions. Albertville, and
particularly Hunter's PUIlIS, is not a natal residential community. Per IRC Figure R301.2 (4), Albertville: and
Hunter's Pass are in the 90 mph 3-second gust zone, and would therefore be $ubjoct (0 component and
cladding load~ specified rOT that wind speed group [Table RJOL2 (2) and Figure R301.2 (8)]. The
engineeJ'ins data you received today confitlllS that our designs more than med these prescribed standards.
Notwithstandins these facts, we take your qucstiOllS and concerns seriously and consider ourselves a
cooperative and proactive partneT with the City of Albertville. As you know. we have. on our own
initiative, replaced most of our insulated exterior shellthing with OSB on homes cum:ntly under
construction in Hunter's Pass. We have applied the same stability "field test" that you had previously
performed, and the found noticeable improvement. We llTe inlerested in working through lhese maners
with you and appreciate: your willingness (0 consider our situation and position.
Again, thank you fOf your time today_ You will be receivins lIdditional information from us and our
engineen as discussed in our meeting. If you have any questions regarding tbis information, please let
either me, Mitch or Jason know.
Since::J: /1,. u J".h
Ja.mesp.~~ c:..---~.
Vice President Conlluuction
7615 SMETANA LANE, SUITE 180, EDEN PRAIRIE, MN 55344
TEL: (952) 944-3455 FAX: (952) 944-3437 khov.com