In this issue:
  • UDC Process starts Jan. 1, 2020
  • BuildSA update
  • FY 2019 Annual Report is here
  • Introducing Stephen Stokinger
  • 2021 ICC Process
  • Online Resources
  • Performance Measures
  • Department News
UDC Process Kicks Off Jan. 1, 2020
The Unified Development Code (UDC) amendment process takes place once every 5 years where amendments may be submitted for consideration and recommendation through various boards and commissions.

External amendments should be limited to editing, clarifying, or rule interpretation amendments. Amendments, which are not editing or clarifying may be sponsored by the Planning Commission at their discretion. All amendments must be submitted to UDCAmendments@sanantonio.gov  by May 1, 2020 . If you are interested in participating in this process, all submittals must include a completed UDC Update Request Application indicating the point of contact name, organization (if applicable), address, phone number, email, signature, date, the basis for update, the reason for update, and a brief summary of the proposed amendment.

Please submit your proposed amendments using the format specified in IB 558 ; be sure to include the entire code. Keep in mind requests not submitted in the proper format will be returned and considered an incomplete submittal.

Development Services is hosting its second DSD Academy focused on the 2020 UDC process. The session is free and will take place on Jan. 18, 2020 at 9 a.m. at the One Stop, located at 1901 S. Alamo, 78204, in the Board Room. Be sure to register today.

To learn more about the 2020 UDC process review the Fact Sheet , or visit the 2020 UDC website . You can also sign up to receive notifications on upcoming meetings and amendment updates, or contact us at UDCAmendments@sanantonio.gov for questions.  
BuildSA Update
Development Services Department (DSD) continues its pursuit of a Fall 2020 go-live date for BuildSA Release 2. As previously shared, the impacted areas for Release 2 include Plan Review, Building Development and Code Enforcement. The entire Release 2 process includes 303 records and up to 300 reports.

End of the year activities
To date the BuildSA team has gone live with Escrow Accounts for Land Development, Withdrawal and Refund records and online Garage Sale Permits.

The end of 2019 activities include training for the Customer Advocate group on State Licenses, City Licenses and Maintenance Permits; data migration of State and City Licensed Professionals and their affiliated organizations and the continuance of testing on Sign Permits and Fire Annual Permits.
The year concluded with the beginning of the testing of DSD and Fire Investigations. The result of all the developing, testing, migrating and training will be the use of BuildSA as the one system used for Land Development applications, License registrations, Plan Review, issuance of Fire/Building Permits/Inspections and Code Enforcement Services.

To learn more about BuildSA , visit us at www.sanantonio.gov/DSD.
FY 2019 Annual Report is Here!
We are pleased to share our third edition of the Development Services Annual Report. This report highlights our FY 2019 successes and announces upcoming projects we know you will be interested in.

Themed throughout the booklet is our partnership with the community, stakeholders, and San Antonio overall. We anticipate 2020 will be a busy year and look forward to working with you. 

Introducing Stephen Stokinger, DSD Engineer
Congratulations to Stephen Stokinger, PE, on his Dec. 14, 2019 promotion to Development Services Engineer, in the Land Development Department.
 
In his new role, Stephen is responsible for the oversight of: plan reviews of sidewalk, traffic, and TIA worksheets and plat reviews for tree and landscape, street lights and TIA worksheets, and the inspections of sidewalk and driveway construction. 
 
Stephen graduated from Texas A&M University in 2004, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he began his employment in the San Antonio area and has continued to work in the Central Texas Region for the last 15 years. Throughout his career, Stephen worked on various projects including subdivision design, commercial design, construction administration, construction inspection, FEMA floodplain delineation, drainage studies, TxDOT road projects, tree preservation plans, and rehabilitation projects.

Stephen joined the City of San Antonio in the Development Services Department this past May, and worked on the School Team as Sr. Engineer in the Plan Review section.In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and kids and volunteering for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
2021 ICC Codes Process Coming in 2020
This past October Development Services staff from the department’s Plan Review, Field Services and Support Services divisions had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Annual Conference of the International Code Council (ICC), held in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 20 through 30.

The 10-day conference brought together building officials, design professionals, fire protection personnel, and frontline building department staff from across the United States and beyond, giving participants an opportunity to network and attend capacity-building events with industry experts. For first-time conference goer Jorge Manzano, Development Services Administrator, “…attending the conference provided me the opportunity to attend educational sessions designed to share best practices with peers from other jurisdictions to benchmark and learn what they are doing to solve similar problems and launch innovative solutions at home.”

Conference goers who attended the Public Comment Hearings portion of the event had an opportunity to influence the development of the upcoming 2021 International Codes. Attending the hearings is an excellent way to get involved in the code development process, and for staff like Florence Diaz, Development Services Manager, to offer her expertise and thoughts on the latest innovations in building and fire safety and their integration into the I-Codes. The hearings can be quite exhaustive; this year Florence participated in two days of public hearings each lasting over ten hours and covering topics like deck design and types of insulation for the forthcoming update to the International Building Code. “While the hearings cover items that may not pertain to how we build in San Antonio," Florence states, "it is interesting to see how changes are proposed and to listen to arguments for and against.” Public comment hearings also provide staff like Florence the ability to prepare for the eventual local code adoption process, expected to kick off in late 2020.
Overall, conference attendees walk away with a list of actionable ideas and strategies, improve their knowledge and skill sets, and make connections with the people shaping building safety – disproving the idea that what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

The ICC is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities, including San Antonio and many global markets use the International Codes. For more information about the ICC, please visit https://www.iccsafe.org .

San Antonio was recognized for our staff development and certification program, and our code adoption and stakeholder engagement processes. To learn more about San Antonio’s recognized best practices, please visit the ICC Major Jurisdictions Committee (MJC) Best Practices website: https://www.iccsafe.org/membership/councils-committees/major-jurisdiction-committee/best-practices/
Register Today!
KALWALL Presents
DAYLIGHTING AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRESENTATION - AN AIA/CES PROGRAM

When : Friday Jan. 17, 2020
Time: 8 - 9 a.m.
Where: 1901 S. Alamo, Boardroom
ATTN: Charlotte Barrett
By: Mike Crowder, National Sales Manager

Online Resources
For a complete list of resources, visit the following sites:


** Information Bulletins located in Documents Online are numbered by section.
Performance Measures & Permit Report
Performance Measures
The performance measures report is available online .
Permit Report
Department News
Job Opportunities: If you are interested in joining our department, apply online .
For new hires, promotions, and retirement news , click here .
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