Code panel approves redlines to open-burning rules to allow regulated fire pits

The Mayor's Code Enforcement Committee voted unanimously at 9:36 a.m. Sept. 10 to approve redlined changes to the city's open-burning ordinance and send the draft to the deputy general counsel and the common council.

James, a fire department official who led the rewrite effort, told the committee the existing ordinance, written decades ago, prohibits nearly all outdoor burning except ordinary cooking on a grill. "As of right now, the ordinance states somewhat other than having a barbecue in your yard, there is no other burning allowed," he said, urging the committee to allow defined recreational fires with safety requirements and to separate those provisions from permitted open burning for commercial or religious reasons. A Westfield fire representative reiterated that the changes would allow recreational burning subject to specific conditions listed in the redline packet.

The committee will forward the redlined ordinance to Corey Wisniewski, the deputy general counsel, for drafting and to the common council for further review and possible adoption. Committee members were told they will need to attend the general counsel commission meeting to answer questions from council members. The chair said staff will provide redlines and attend the next GCC meeting to present the item.