Agenda Packets - 1996/07/15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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STAFF REPORT FOR ORDINANCE NO. 586 • 07-15-96 PAGE TWO OF TWO As per City Council request at the June 10, 1996 City Council meeting, Staff contacted the Fire Marshall for review and comments on the proposed ordinance. Fire Marshall, Kathryn Gove, has recommended adopting Chapter 1306.011 Subp. 3 item 8, with a two thousand threshold verses 5,000 or more gross square feet of floor area or three or more stories in height. This would be more restrictive than item 8a, initially introduced on June 10, 1996. Fire Prevention Officials support this ordinance as not only will it protect structures and the community tax base, but also the lives and jobs of the employees, as well as the lives of the firefighters who volunteer to protect the structures. There appears to be some confusion regarding whether planning/building applications processed prior to the formal adoption and publication of this ordinance will be required to sprinkle existing or new additions of a building. Fire Marshall Mark Bishop's interpretation is that since this item 8 provision is not within the Municipal Code now, it appears that the City Council cannot require a fire suppression system for neither the new nor existing buildings. City Attorney Long has presented an option that if the City Council does feel strongly about requiring all new buildings to be sprinkled, that all current planning/building applications may be delayed for 60 days to allow this ordinance to be approved. Thus, if Council felt it is appropriate for Staff to delay processing applications for new construction, or expansion of existing buildings that would require sprinkling under the new ordinance, then after adoption of Ordinance No. 586, would be required to have adequate fire suppression systems in place. Staff is requesting City Council guidance relating to the processing of current building/planning applications that would, under proposed Ordinance No. 586, require sprinkling. Fire Chief Zikmund has also enclosed a staff report and will be in attendance at the July 15, 1996 City Council meeting for any further questions City Council may have regarding fire suppression system requirements. i