SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Safety Advisory Committee Meeting was held on June 2, 2004, at 7:00 p.m. at Fire Station Headquarters, with Chairman Ritter presiding. Members present were Mr. Pitts, Mr. Lakeman, and Mr. Simmons. Mr. Carey was absent. Councilman Ruane and Mayor Speed were also present.

AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS

Mr. Pitts moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Lakeman and unanimously carried.

Concerns of Robbins Hose Company - Street Width Waiver Requests for New Developments (Chief Bashista)

Fire Chief Bashista provided a PowerPoint Presentation depicting areas throughout the City which, due to their street widths, present maneuverability problems for the Fire Department (Attachment #1). He provided members with information on the size of the fire apparatus and the area required to set the apparatus in place to fight a fire.

Chief Bashista noted that the City of Dover Code specifies a roadway width of 38 feet for all streets, except arterial roadways and one-way alleys (at the discretion of the City Manager). He advised members that the majority of developers have requested and were granted street width waivers for new developments; therefore, the streets are being built as narrow as 24 feet. Chief Bashista stated that they would prefer that no street width waivers be granted for less than 36 feet. He also noted that all of the waivers are a good indication that the Code should be amended.

Chief Bashista recommended the following when a street width waiver is being considered:

            •          No parking on one side for streets with widths between 32 and 35 feet

            •          Require residential sprinkler systems for street widths below 32 feet (due to length of time to set up apparatus in such a narrow area)

Mr. Scott Koenig, Public Works Director, questioned whether or not mountable curbs at the entrances to developments cause damage to the fire apparatus. Chief Bashista stated that they did not cause damage; however, the trucks have to slow down considerably to drive over them, similar to passing over a speed bump. He noted that, due to the quality of construction, fires in newer homes spread faster than those in older homes.

Responding to Mr. Koenig, Chief Bashista stated that there are similar issues in Kent County; however, the fire apparatus that would respond to a fire outside of the City limits would most likely be smaller and easier to maneuver.

Mr. Koenig stated the Public Works Department advocates reduced street widths since they are more economical to maintain. He noted that six (6) inches of street width equates to $20,000 per mile to repave. He also noted that reduced street widths provide stormwater management and ecological benefits. Mr. Koenig stated that a street width waiver should result in higher quality construction or a similar community investment due to the reduced costs to the developer.

Mr. James Galvin, City Planner, stated that from a planning perspective, narrower streets mean slower travel speeds. He also noted that many of the situations depicted in the presentation appeared to be related to the radii at the entrances. He suggested discussing the matter with local engineering firms and developers in order to improve their entrances. Mr. Galvin noted that a recent requirement for a street width was for the developer to provide two-car garages and driveways in the development.

Mr. Tom Burns, Burns and Ellis Realtors, noted that wider streets present safety and environmental issues, such as speeding and increased stormwater runoff. He also noted that developers may choose to build outside of the City to save on paving costs associated with wider streets.

Mr. Ritter suggested that several different options could be provided to developers, such as parking on both sides of a 36 foot street, parking on one side of a 32 foot street, and no parking on a 28 foot street.

Mr. Lakeman moved to recommend that staff be authorized to develop amendments to the street width requirements, with a recommendation to the Committee provided for the July 14, 2004 meeting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.

Mr. Lakeman moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Pitts and unanimously carried.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:00 P.M.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Robert G. Ritter, Jr.

Chairman

RGR/tam

S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20046-02-2004-Safety.wpd

Attachment

Attachment #1 - PowerPoint Presentation