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Fountain Green planning commission hears presentation on state Wildland-Urban Interface code
Summary
Commissioners heard staff describe a state-prescribed Wildland-Urban Interface ordinance, were shown maps indicating no WUI areas inside city limits, and were told adopting the code preserves the city’s state firefighting contract; the public hearing closed with the commission preparing to forward the ordinance to city council.
The Fountain Green Planning Commission held a Feb. 12 public hearing on a state-prescribed Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) ordinance and heard from staff member Todd, who presented maps and explained the local implications.
Todd told commissioners that the WUI code is an addendum to the International Building Code focused on "defensible space" around structures and said it currently does not apply inside Fountain Green. "What we're being asked to do by the state is to adopt this Wildland Urban Interface Code," Todd said, and he displayed a map showing nearby high-risk (red) interface areas that lie outside the city boundary.
Todd told the commission the city must still adopt the ordinance as part of state-required procedures for WUI designation and related contracts. He warned that "if we don't do it ... they'll cancel that agreement with us, and, we'll be on our own," referring to the city’s annual contract that brings state firefighting resources to local incidents.
Commissioners and staff discussed practical effects. Todd said the draft is adapted from another municipality and noted that exceptions can be granted. He and commissioners addressed how the code typically applies to new construction and how inspection fees are assessed for buildings located in designated high-risk areas. One commissioner summarized a cost example discussed during the hearing: "if we adopt it and pay a $21 a year premium, we've got coverage," a figure staff referenced in explaining continued access to state resources.
The presentation also covered mitigation efforts and local landscape differences: staff noted Fountain Green’s irrigated and tilled areas and existing fire breaks reduce local WUI risk compared with heavily treed, high-wind regions. Todd pointed to two small county parcels (about eight acres) identified in the annual agreement as areas of concern and said mitigation has reduced at-risk acreage since the prior year.
Commissioners confirmed the county is adopting the code and discussed keeping the city recommendation focused on provisions that apply inside Fountain Green city limits. Staff noted the ordinance package and maps will be submitted to the County Fire Warden, who staff said has reviewed the materials and is "completely on board." The hearing record also referenced state-level action (HB48) as part of the recent rollout of guidance and materials.
The public hearing was closed without a recorded formal vote; commissioners said they will move the ordinance forward to the city council for consideration. The planning and zoning meeting was scheduled to begin 10 minutes after the close of the public hearing.
