Fire chiefs press Nash County for wider subdivision roads; commissioners and developers debate costs

Fire and emergency responders urged Nash County commissioners on June 24 to require wider internal subdivision roads to protect both residents and first responders, a point that repeatedly surfaced during a lengthy public comment period on the county's Unified Development Ordinance update.

Chad Bissette, assistant chief with the Bailey Fire Department, told the meeting that tanker-based water-shuttle operations and modern fire apparatus need additional maneuvering width. Bissette cited NFPA guidance and an industry illustration showing how a 20-foot pavement width can leave little room for apparatus, portable dump tanks and safe circulation. "For less than 1/2 of 1%" increase in home cost in some scenarios, he said, the county would receive improved emergency access and reduced operational risk.

Nashville Fire Department Chief Chris Joyner and other volunteer chiefs echoed those concerns, citing national statistics about roadside responder fatalities and the practical limitations created by parked cars, mailboxes and roadside obstructions on 20-foot streets.

Developers and surveyors pushed back in public comment, warning the board that increasing pavement width from 20 ft to 24 ft raises construction costs that will be passed to buyers and could affect housing affordability. A surveying representative asked whether required changes would shift maintenance obligations to NCDOT and whether the county has evaluated the water-supply implications for fire suppression in unserved rural areas.

Staff response and status: consultant Adam Colepepper said the steering committee had recommended a 24-ft pavement width in some contexts and that the fire marshal supported it, but the prior joint meeting resulted in a vote to retain 20 ft; Colepepper said discussion would continue. Planning Director Adam Tyson and commissioners emphasized the need to weigh safety against cost and to discuss options such as requiring either wider roads or required hydrants where feasible.

What remains unresolved: the board has not adopted a final pavement-width standard. Commissioners said the issue requires further review with fire, utilities and finance staff to assess operational needs, line extensions for hydrants and the distributional effects on housing costs.

Next steps: staff will incorporate public feedback into the ordinance drafting process and clarify whether the final standard will require wider pavements in all major subdivisions, only where hydrants are not feasible, or provide alternative compliance paths (hydrants, emergency vehicle access agreements, or pavement-width adjustments).