Oldsmar planning board backs code change to allow 6-inch water mains when tests meet fire-code standards

The Oldsmar Planning Board on Dec. 10 voted unanimously to recommend that City Council adopt an amendment to the city Land Development Code allowing 6-inch water mains for future projects when design calculations and pressure tests meet Florida fire-code requirements.

Tatiana Childress, Oldsmar planning and development director, told the board the proposal updates Article 8, Section 8.4 of the code to replace outdated ISO references with the Florida Fire Prevention Code and to allow administrative approval of 6-inch mains for hydrant connections where fire-flow demands are met. She said certain more restrictive items from the original staff draft were postponed because of a state measure and cannot be adopted until after Oct. 1, 2027: "[S]everal provisions were more restrictive and therefore cannot be adopted until after 10/01/2027 per that Senate bill," Childress said.

Board members asked whether existing neighborhoods would need pipe replacement. Childress replied the change applies to future projects and to infrastructure permits issued before Jan. 1, 2026 only if the engineering calculations and pressure tests are satisfied. Fire Chief Jason Schwab said the department conducts final flow tests before certificates of occupancy and performs annual hydrant testing; he emphasized the flow standard is not changing: "So it's 1,250 gallons per minute is the standard," Schwab said, adding that tested existing mains have met requirements and the amendment should not require digging up previously approved mains.

During discussion board members sought clarity on how the 6-inch standard would be verified. Staff said a licensed design professional must submit calculations at permitting to demonstrate the 6-inch design meets pressure and flow requirements; the physical pressure test during construction verifies the design.

After no public comments or written input, a member moved that the board recommend adoption of the ordinance as presented. The motion was seconded and the board approved it by roll-call vote; all present members voted yes. The planning board's approval forwards the amendment to City Council for its consideration and potential adoption.

The staff report, as presented, limits the scope of changes this evening to the code references and the 8-inch-to-6-inch minimum revision; additional proposed changes from the original draft will return to the board after the state-imposed delay.