Residents challenge proposed wildland-urban interface ordinance at Meadow hearing

At a public hearing, residents urged the Meadow Town Council not to adopt a proposed wildland-urban interface (WUI) ordinance, saying the town has no WUI and that the measure would give a code official broad powers over private property and create new fees that could raise taxes and insurance costs.

The first commenter told the council the ordinance map is “incorrect” and “doesn't outline Meadowtown,” arguing that without a designated WUI the state's building standards it borrows from would not apply locally. The commenter warned the code — based on the International Building Code — includes intrusive requirements such as premises identification, key boxes for gated properties, and permitting rules for vegetation. “If the code official says a rock is a flammable item, then it's a flammable item,” the resident said, warning that the ordinance places control over property in the hands of an appointed official and provides that the town will pay that official’s legal defense.

Other speakers raised financial concerns. One resident said the ordinance would require a compliance officer funded by a flat fee per structure and predicted that “property taxes are gonna go up and also your insurance rates,” adding that some residents already struggle to keep insurance. Another commenter noted the code and its appendices can impose additional restrictions — including permits for planting shrubs or trees — and urged the council not to adopt those appendices.

A separate speaker invoked House Bill 48, calling the proposals “unconstitutional” for the town and pointing out that the WUI rules include a local adaptation process allowing a jurisdiction to document that the standards do not apply if no formally designated interface exists. At least one resident urged the town to adopt a local resolution declaring that no WUI areas exist in Meadow so the code would not take effect until such a determination changed.

Council members did not debate the ordinance during the hearing; the Chair repeatedly asked commenters to take side conversations outside and said the public comments would help inform the council’s decision later in the evening. After hearing public comment, a council member moved to adjourn the public hearing; the motion was seconded and the chair called the ayes, adjourning the hearing without a formal vote on the ordinance.

The town council’s regular meeting was scheduled to follow, at which the council may accept, amend, pass or reject the ordinance. No formal action on the WUI ordinance was recorded during the public hearing.