Advisory committee backs 1,000-foot fire-hydrant spacing, sends amendment to planning commission

Henry, chair of the advisory committee, opened the meeting and the group spent the first hour discussing a proposed amendment to the subdivision regulations that would change the current 2,000-foot fire-hydrant spacing requirement to 1,000 feet.

Steve presented the proposal and explained it would make the spacing standard trigger on all lots shown in a preliminary plat rather than allow a future lot division to fall outside the standard. "This would change that to a 1,000-ft spacing," Steve said, describing the text amendment staff intends to send to the planning commission.

Chief Bowlin, representing the county fire department, framed the change around the county's Insurance Services Organization (ISO) rating. "The main thing is working on our ISO rating," he said, arguing that closer hydrant spacing and consistent hydrant placement on newly created lots help lower homeowners' insurance rates and improve firefighting operations. Bowlin described operational realities — the department carries a minimum of 1,200 feet of supply line on each truck, and the county operates multiple tankers (two 3,000-gallon and two 1,800-gallon tankers) — to show hydrants are one of several factors ISO auditors consider.

Committee discussion focused on practical constraints: small water-line sizes in parts of the county (6-inch minimum to support a full-size hydrant, with some areas dropping to 4- or 3-inch lines), existing waiver practices administered by the fire chief and water districts, and examples of local sites where hydrant placement or pressure is limited. Steve and the chief noted two certified dry-hydrant pond systems in the county that can be used for drafting water but emphasized they are not substitutes for a recognized full-size hydrant under ISO rules.

After discussion a committee member moved to send the amendment to the planning commission for placement on the July 9 agenda; a second member supported the motion. The motion passed on a voice vote; the committee instructed staff to advertise the item in the Woodford Sun and include materials in the July 2 packet.

Next steps: staff will incorporate the amendment language and advertise the planning-commission public hearing for July 9. The planning commission will consider the text amendment and any public comments at that meeting.