By Parker Leavitt | The Republic | azcentral.com
Several months of heated debate over standardized building codes in Gilbert appears to have finally ended after the Town Council adopted some of the regulations while rejecting key pieces, such as the energy-conservation code.
The Jan. 30 meeting featured two hours of debate culminating in a whirlwind of parliamentary procedure that included amended motions — with one amendment to an amendment — and a councilman who ended up voting against his own motion.
When the dust settled, the council had adopted most provisions in the 2012 International Building Code, with the notable exceptions of energy conservation and “green” construction regulations. Those portions were adopted only as voluntary codes.
Although most Valley municipalities adopted the new building standards months ago, unrest among local activists who saw the regulations as an overreach of government power delayed and threatened to derail their adoption in Gilbert.
A split council on Nov. 7 voted to accept updated standards on residential and commercial construction while deferring 32 items to an informal task force comprised of business leaders and residents.
