HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-05-05 PACKET 05.A.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 5/5/10
PREPARED BY Community Development Howard Blin
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Receive response to April 21, 2010, Open Forum request to prohibit recreational fires.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive response to April 21, 2010 Open Forum request to prohibit recreational fires.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A N/A $N /A
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
DATE REVIEWED
❑ PLANNING ❑
❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑
❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑
❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑
❑ HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑
❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
® MEMO /LETTER: Memo from Howard Blin dated 4/27/10
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
APPROVED
DENIED
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City Administrator ate
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED THER
CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE
MINNESOTA
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
Ryan Schroeder, City Administrator
FROM: Howard Blin, Community Development Director
DATE: April 27, 2010
RE: Response to April 21 Open Forum
At the Open Forum section of the April 21 City Council meeting, Ms. Michelle Ramirez spoke in
opposition to recreational fires. Ms. Ramirez stated that recreational fires create a nuisance and
should be prohibited by the City.
The following is City Code Title 4 -6 -1- (C)(2), which pertains to such fires.
2. Recreational fires. Recreational fires are permitted on residential property as
provided below:
a. All recreational fires must be operated in compliance with the requirements of
this subsection. Recreational fires must be located at least fifteen feet (15) away
from any combustible structure and at least ten feet (10) from any property line,
unless a different location is approved by the fire chief. Fires must be contained in
a fire pit or enclosure that is constructed from brick, masonry, metal, or other non-
combustible material. Fires must be no more than three feet (3) in diameter.
Flame height must not exceed three feet (3). No trash, leaves, stumps, treated,
painted, varnished, or otherwise coated lumber may be burned. An adult must be
in attendance and a charged water hose or fire extinguisher must be readily avail-
able at all times. Recreational fires are not permitted when area winds exceed
fifteen (15) miles per hour or when the fire chief has issued a no fire order. Fires
must be extinguished to the point of cold before being left unattended.
b. The fire chief may order any recreational fire to be immediately extinguished if
the fire poses a nuisance to surrounding residences. A nuisance is deemed to ex-
ist if the fire generates flying embers that pose a hazard to property or generates
smoke or odors that unreasonably interfere with the use or enjoyment of neigh-
boring properties.
These regulations were developed by the Nuisance Work Group, a group of advisory commis-
sion members and residents who met in 2001 -2002 to address various nuisance issues in the
city. Prior to the Work Group recommendations, all recreational fires required a burning permit
from the Fire Department, which was a cumbersome process. The Work Group determined that
fires should be allowed without a permit, provided the above regulations are met. At this time, it
is not recommended that any changes be made to the existing regulations.