Residents object to Firewise sign placed near nonparticipant property; commission refers dispute to City Council

Residents raised objections to a Firewise program sign installed in the public right‑of‑way at 1115 Camino Vallecito during other business at the Nov. 10 Lafayette Design Review Commission meeting, and the commission did not take action, directing residents to seek resolution at City Council.

Michael Moran, director of engineering and public works for the City of Lafayette, said Firewise signs are issued after neighborhoods apply to the Contra Costa Fire District and that Public Works installs uniform signs in the public right‑of‑way at locations meant to represent a neighborhood "in" or "out" entrance. He said the city typically places signs where they are visible to motorists and not obstructed by landscaping: "We believe it's a government sign," Moran said, adding that the city has installed roughly 10 to 20 such signs and that the program is encouraged by the City Council as part of emergency preparedness.

David May, a resident raising the complaint, countered that the Firewise organization is not a government agency and that the sign functions as a private program marker; he said the Ostermans, the adjacent property owners, were not included in the application and argued the sign burdens their property. "It's a private sign," May said. May asked which Firewise zone the sign represents and suggested signs be placed on properties owned by participating neighbors rather than next to properties of those who opted out.

Commissioners debated whether the DRC had jurisdiction. Several commissioners said sign placement in the public right‑of‑way and the fact that the sign was installed by Public Works put it outside the DRC’s typical purview, and one commissioner urged the complainants to bring the dispute to City Council for resolution. The commission took no formal action on the sign during the meeting.

Staff said the Firewise program requires a community application reviewed by the fire district and that the signs are issued uniformly by program rules; the city liaises with Contra Costa Fire District on acceptance and installation.

Next steps advised at the meeting: residents may present the matter to City Council for a policy or dispute resolution; the DRC did not forward a recommendation or take enforcement action.