Committee forwards Chapter 8 fire‑prevention revisions to council, moves bulk‑storage language to LDC

The Code Review and Land Use Committee voted June 2 to accept proposed edits to Chapter 8 (fire prevention) and forward them to the full City Council for consideration.

Committee members agreed that the question of whether the fire chief should be hired by the council or the city manager belongs at the council level, not in this committee’s jurisdiction. The panel directed staff to move section 8‑2 — the bulk‑storage provision that addresses large load centers such as data centers or similar facilities — out of the code of ordinances and into the Land Development Code so Kimley‑Horn or other land‑use consultants can craft site‑specific language. The committee noted a recently signed state bill on “large load centers” and flagged the need to ensure local code aligns with that statute.

Chief Sheffield told the group he has no additional changes to 8‑16 at this time and staff will retain existing manual references until the chief provides updated materials. Committee members also reiterated that fire impact fees must await an updated impact‑fee study before substantive changes to fee language are adopted.

A motion to accept the changes and forward Chapter 8 to the City Council passed during the meeting; the motion text recorded in the minutes was “accept the changes under chapter 8 and send to the city council for approval.” The motion was seconded and the chair announced the motion carried.

Next steps: staff will coordinate with Kimley‑Horn for LDC language on bulk‑storage and return final redlines and the fire‑impact fee study when available. The committee did not change 8‑16 and deferred the appointment‑authority question to the City Council.