Minutes 05-12-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Commissioner Jacobs said information, regarding Emergency Services accessibility, could be included with the tax notice, in a similar manner to information about pumping septic tanks. Commissioner Jacobs said for the most part the intentions are all good and make sense to him. He said part of being in the post 911 world is that there are so many sacrifices of personal character, versus the greatest possible safety. He said it is reasonable to educate people and to suggest that they clear their driveways but to make it a County ordinance takes it too far. Commissioner Jacobs said there should be some cost benefit analysis. He said his own cost analysis tends to be the natural environment versus standards; but others compare their bottom line to standards. He said the Development Community, as well as the public, should be included in the discussion. Chair McKee said there is a road off of Route 70, called Poplar Ridge, which fits the definition of what is being discussed here tonight. He said driving this road may be helpful in visualizing the types of issues that fire trucks face. He said access is the key; if services cannot get to the fire, houses and people cannot be saved. Commissioner Price said she is not in favor of increasing the cost to the developer but she feels that the safety of the responders must be heavily weighed. She said a price cannot be placed on a person's life. Jason Shepherd said Chapter 5 of the fire code allows him to require fire apparatus access. He said a solution may be as simple as reviewing development plans prior to construction, to see if access is possible. He said there may be many cases where a 12 foot driveway would allow access, and exorbitant changes and cost would not be necessary. Chair McKee said Class B roads could remain available for minor subdivisions. Commissioner Jacobs said when this item comes back to change it from standards to guidelines subject to approval by the Fire Marshal's office. Commissioner Jacobs said he is more in favor of flexibility and would trust the Fire Marshal to give an honest review. Chair McKee said he is not sure the BOCC has given any clear direction with which staff can proceed. Abigaile Pittman said perhaps the Board could authorize staff to outline some amendment options, and return to the Board for their consideration. Chair McKee said this may be the best course of action, as summarizing the evening's conversation may prove difficult. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the idea of some type of public awareness campaign could be pursued. Commissioner Rich asked if the properties that are already known to be difficult to access, have been notified of this information. Jim Groves said the Fire Marshal has done this on one occasion, and that response was favorable, and the problem corrected. Commissioner Rich said arming people with knowledge about their property may be a really good place to start. Chair McKee said fire departments do proactively engage the public with troublesome roads. 4. Educational Facility Impact Fee Ordinance and Age-Restricted Housing Craig Benedict said there was a request from a developer in Chapel Hill for Orange County to review the County's ordinance and to have an age restrictive housing exception.