5.6. SR 09-09-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM Item # 5.6. TO: FROM: DATE: Mayor and City Council Pat Klaers, City Ad ministr~ztg~r~~ September 9, 2002 SUBJECT: Consider Amendment to Open Burning Ordinance Since the RC Rolloff incident, staff has had numerous meetings and discussions regarding "how this situation happened" and "how to make sure this type of situation doesn't happen again". Issues related to this specific incident include burning, enforcement of the zoning code and land use ordinance, communication, and staffing levels/organization. It is the staff consensus that we need to evaluate some of our city policies and procedures and then recommend some changes on how the city does business. One of the issues to address in order to ensure this type of incident doesn't happen again is burning. First, it should be noted that the fzre department now inspects all non-residential burning permit requests. By this I mean that a representative from the department goes to the site and physically inspects the burn piles. Certainly this doesn't mean that people will not or cannot add to the burn pile when the inspector has left the scene, but there is only so much that can be done when burning permits are issued. The most significant change that is being proposed is an expansion of the no-burn area. It will remain legal to burn in parts of the city with a burning permit but it is proposed that the no- burn area expand to mirror the no hunting area. The Fire Chief will continue to be able to allow exceptions in the no burn area but the guidelines for giving exceptions will be very stringent. Another big change being proposed is that developers will not be allowed to do mass burns in clearing and preparing sites for development. There are alternatives to mass burns for trees and brush and there will be no exceptions allowed in developments in order for mass burns to take place. A spin off benefit to this new restriction is that there will be more of an emphasis by developers on tree preservation. Other burning changes being proposed include no longer allowing 15 day permits and no longer allowing burn barrels. Special permits will need to be considered for the prairie grass burn areas and events and these will continue to be allowed per approval by the Fire Chief.