Despite petitions from nearby residents and businesses, as well as the city’s fire chief, the Urbandale, Iowa, City Council approved an amendment to its fire code this week, allowing self storage facilities under 12,000 sq. ft. to be built without fire sprinklers.
International Fire Code recommends all self storage buildings between 6,000 and 12,000 sq. ft. to be required to have fire sprinklers. The council voted 3-2 in its third and final decision to go ahead with the change. Council members John Forbes and Mary Polson opposed the change of code, citing safety concerns. Urbandale Fire Chief Jerry Holt recommended keeping the previous code.
The amendment was requested by developers Brad Vander Linden and business partner Eric Vander Linden to allow Hickman’s Self Storage be built without an automatic sprinkler system at the proposed site at 6715 Hickman Road in Urbandale.
Councilmen Mike Carver, Ron Pogge and Tom Gayman supported the change to further economic growth in the community. Carver is quoted as saying: “I have no hesitation or concern defending my position or what I've done."
The Urbandale Board of Appeals had denied the developers’ request in November, recommending that the code remain at 6,000 sq. ft. In 2007, the city code was changed, requiring sprinkler systems for self storage buildings when they are 6,000 sq. ft. or larger.
Connie Gray, who owns rental property adjacent to the Vander Linden property, submitted a petition at the previous council meeting signed by 61 residents and five businesses near the property in both Urbandale and Des Moines. The petitioners against the change asked Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg to veto the council's decision. Andeweg is not in favor of the final decision, but declined to veto the ruling to have it overturned. He said he gave much thought to the decision and considered all sides of the argument, but added that although he doesn’t agree with the decision, he will not veto.
"I also have respect for the majority. I respect everyone's opinion. This decision has been made and we need to move on," he said.
Fire Codes differ throughout the state of Iowa. For self storage buildings 12,000 sq. ft. in Ankeny, Des Moines, Waukee and Windsor Heights, an automatic fire sprinkler system is required. Urbandale is following in the footsteps of Johnston, Grimes and West Des Moines where the requirement is 6,000 sq. ft.
Sources Used:
Sleyster, Sara. “Urbandale Loosens Sprinkler Requirements For Storage Units.” DesMoinesRegister.com. Feb. 10, 2011.
“Fire Code in Urbandale, Iowa, Modified For Self-Storage Facilities.” Inside Self-Storage. Feb. 10, 2011.