The Irondale City Council on Dec. 16 adopted Ordinance 2025-19, tightening fees and safety requirements for any blasting in the city as developers begin site work for the forthcoming Costco project.

Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. told the council the ordinance updates city code to follow the 2021 ICC code and state law, and lists specific permit requirements: a $25 blasting application fee, a corporate surety bond of $100,000 deposited with the city clerk, and a minimum certificate of insurance for property damage and personal injury with limits of at least $500,000 per occurrence for explosives-related risks. The ordinance also requires state blaster certification and federal explosives licenses where applicable.

Residents in nearby Bainbridge Trace urged the council to postpone the ordinance vote until the mayor met with affected neighbors. Ralph Karp, speaking for Bainbridge Trace, said homeowners were confused by the ordinance language and concerned about masonry homes and the sufficiency of the stated insurance limits. Karp asked the council to table the item until after a neighborhood meeting.

Mayor Stewart responded that the ordinance reflects legal requirements vetted by the city attorney and state standards, and said the Jan. 8 informational meeting in the Council Chamber would notify residents within roughly 1,500 feet (the mayor said the city intends to notify up to a half-mile) and walk through the ordinance language and safety practices.

Council members discussed that the proposed ordinance strengthens existing blasting rules rather than removes protections. After public comment, the council voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-19. The mayor and staff emphasized that permits must meet the listed bonding and insurance conditions and that the Jan. 8 meeting will cover questions about insurance, per-occurrence language, and notification procedures.

The council also recorded that the city has previously permitted blasting for large projects in the same area, including site work for Mercedes-Benz, a mayoral remark noted during the meeting.

The mayor encouraged any resident with questions to attend the Jan. 8 meeting and offered one-on-one meetings as well. The ordinance will be enforceable under the municipal code and must be followed by any contractor awarded a blasting permit.