Advocacy
We are more than the buildings we produce; we are members of a greater community, and we can affect change with our skills and expertise. Our objective is to promote good design within our profession and community by way of positioning our chapter in the local and regional conversation. We will also strive to educate and inform our members on issues relating to our metropolitan area and beyond.
Locally, we have been meeting with city officials throughout the region in an effort to introduce what the AIA Kansas City can offer communities in terms of public support and/or design expertise. We have a large organization that can help inform priorities for our communities, and can provide a vision for our shared future.
If you are interested in learning more, or getting involved in our Advocacy Committee, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
AIA Kansas City'S support on KCMO building and rehabilitation code Updates
Mr. Greg Franzen
Department of City Planning & Development
324 East 11th Street, 3rd Floor
Kansas City, MO 64106
Re: Updating the Kansas City Building and Rehabilitation Code
Dear Mr. Franzen:
AIA Kansas City is pleased to endorse the efforts of the Kansas City, Missouri Department of City Planning & Development in the update of the KC Building & Rehabilitation Code (KCBRC) to ensure health, safety, and welfare, while also enhancing energy efficiency, and improving the resiliency of Kansas City’s future. We are aware that the draft document recommends the adoption of the most recent versions of the currently adopted model codes, including the:
- 2018 International Building Code
- 2018 International Residential Code
- 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2018 International Mechanical Code
- 2018 International Private Sewage Disposal Code
- 2018 International Energy Conservation Code
- 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code
- 2017 National Electrical Code
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators; amendment
We are also aware of amendments that have been proposed. These amendments are regressive to the current practice of architecture, construction, and building science. We acknowledge they enable a minimal cost reduction for a project today, but the long-term impacts of constructing a less efficient building are compounding on our citizens and the environment. As architects, we are licensed to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people who utilize our buildings and we declare opposition to these amendments:
- Amendment to reduce roof insulation from R30 to R20
- Amendment to make wood framed walls R13 in Group R and all other
- Amendment to increase vertical fenestration to 40% from 30%
- Amendment to have efficiency packages deleted
- Amendment to have systems commissioning deleted
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the City’s building codes process and the new code adoption. AIA Kansas City supports the adoption of the non-amended codes as described above. We believe that the update of these codes is in the best interest of the citizens of Kansas City, Missouri.
With this code update, Kansas City will be a leader in this region for responsible building and development. Our hope is that the other metropolitan cities will use this document to adopt similar, if not identical, building codes to simplify the process of building in the Kansas City area and to promote responsible economic development that benefits us all.
Please feel welcome to contact us if we may be of further assistance.
Sincerely,
Randi Mixdorf, AIA
Co-chair, Advocacy Committee
Sam Loring, AIA
Co-chair, Advocacy Committee
