Resident asks council to reconsider enforcement of fire-lane restrictions on private property

At the Sept. 9 public input period, resident Tom Pape addressed the council about a dispute over posting 'fire lane no parking' signage on private property. Pape said he met with Fire Chief Greg Smith and Fire Marshal Steven Mass. He told the council he was told the enforcement decision was "a done deal" and that staff had declined requests for an extension and for third-party mediation. Pape said he asked the fire marshal for documentation of code violations and was told there was none beyond a 2019 meeting with residents and fire officials; Pape said he was surprised no written documentation of current violations existed. Pape also raised specific measurement questions, saying two properties in the First View addition have a rear distance of less than 150 feet referenced in the code and that one location has an obstruction created during reconstruction of an avenue. He said he had been advised to follow internal city procedures, including talking to city staff and the city attorney. Pape asked the council to consider less intrusive solutions and to review the documentation and decision process; the remarks were recorded as public comment and did not prompt immediate council action during the meeting.