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Council hears draft defensible-space ordinance concept, fire district offers education support
Summary
Councilor Noah Estes introduced a draft defensible space ordinance to address wildfire risk; Mosier Fire District said it could support education and property assessments while councilors and residents raised questions about cost, enforcement, aesthetics, and alignment with existing city code.
Councilor Noah Estes introduced a draft defensible space ordinance on May 6, describing it as a proposal to address wildfire risk, insurance implications, and potential grant opportunities for mitigation. The discussion included staff, Mosier Fire District representatives, and members of the public weighing implementation considerations such as homeowner costs, enforcement feasibility, and aesthetics.
Mosier Fire District Chief Tom Oswald and Captain Connor McKibben told Council the District could support defensible space education and property assessments; Mayor Witt Anderson and Councilors emphasized the need to align any ordinance with existing city code and to build a strong education component. Councilor Estes agreed to help advance the effort, and there was general support for forming a committee to continue developing the proposal.
