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Colfax council declines to accept Old Orchard street, citing fire-code access concerns
Summary
After insurer and fire-officer advice that a 19-foot road deviates from International Fire Code guidance and could create liability, the council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-21 to decline accepting Old Orchard into the city street system.
The Colfax City Council on Nov. 17 voted to decline acceptance of a proposed street identified as Old Orchard because it does not meet minimum fire apparatus access and public safety standards. City staff reported that the city’s insurance carrier (CIAW Risk Management) strongly cautioned against permitting a 19-foot road width as a deviation from the 20-foot guidance in the International Fire Code and warned such a variance could create liability for the city.
OIC John Lautenslager said he and Syn Tier Engineering worked on a design to help fire trucks navigate corners, but staff said the insurer’s recommendation remained against allowing the 19-foot width because of safety and precedent concerns. The city clerk distributed a resolution for council review and councilmember Mackleit moved to approve Resolution 25-21; the motion, seconded by Councilmember Schaefer, passed on a roll-call vote of all yes.
The resolution formally records the city’s decision to decline the street acceptance based on public-safety and liability considerations. Council members emphasized protecting equipment access and avoiding a precedent that could expose the city to increased risk.
