11B - 2ND READ ORD - ADAPTIVE REUSE

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in permitting repairs, alterations, and additions necessary to accommodate Adaptive Reuse Projects, the alternative building regulations shall impose such requirements as will, in the determination of the Building Official, protect the public health, safety, and welfare. b) Alternate Material, Design, or Method of Construction. The property owner must submit an application for an alternate material, design, or method of construction in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code. Upon receipt of such application, the Building Official shall have the authority to review and grant approval when the proposed design is found satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of current building codes in effect, and that the material, method or work offered is justified by current accepted performance based engineering and analysis in assessing quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety. c) The Building Official shall review Adaptive Reuse Project proposals on a case -by -case basis, and may require pre - submittal meetings at his or her discretion. d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to allow the reduction of the seismic or fire and life safety elements of an Eligible Building where such elements provide a greater level of protection than the minimum requirements established by this section. Section 8. Section 41 -1655 of Chapter 41 of the Santa Ana Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows: Sec. 41 -1655. Alternative Fire Standards for Adaptive Reuse Projects a) Subject to the approval of OCFA, the use or occupancy of an Eligible Building shall be allowed to be changed as part of an Adaptive Reuse Project, and the Eligible Building is allowed to be occupied for purposes in other groups without conforming to all of the requirements of the California Fire Code (and the California Building Code when applicable) for those groups, provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use. The provisions of the California Fire Code (and the California Building Code when applicable) are not intended to prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit any method of construction not specifically prescribed by the California Fire Code, provided that any such alternative has been approved. b) Alternative Materials and Methods (AM &M). The property owner must submit an AM &M application for any Adaptive Reuse Project to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). OCFA is authorized to approve an AM &M for construction where OCFA finds that the proposed design is 6 11 B -8