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Mayor King advances draft storm-shelter ordinance; council raises cost and access concerns
Summary
Mayor King introduced a draft ordinance that would require storm shelters for some future new and substantially remodeled dwellings. Council members raised questions about the 50% remodel trigger, per-home costs (builders estimated about $8,000), accessibility of public shelters and alternatives such as incentives or community shelters.
Mayor King opened the Aug. 10 study session by presenting a draft ordinance that would require storm shelters for specified new construction and substantial remodels, saying the requirement would apply only to future permits and would not affect existing approvals. He told the council the draft ties a remodel trigger to a percentage of assessed value and that, if adopted, the ordinance would not go into effect until 90 days after passage. "How much does a life cost?" King asked, underscoring the public-safety rationale behind the proposal.
Assistant City Manager Charlie DeSalle told the council builders at a recent Home Builders Association meeting estimated an additional per-home cost of about $8,000 for the types of in-home shelter units discussed, though he emphasized model choice and construction approach would change that figure. King and council members said the draft currently uses a 50% remodel threshold tied to the Jackson County assessor's valuation but that the percentage is negotiable; King said he would be willing to consider a 75% trigger if the council prefers a higher threshold.
Council members warned the threshold could disproportionately affect owners of older homes and small commercial remodels. One council member asked whether the city could instead incentivize shelters or develop targeted community shelters. King noted the city currently lists two public shelters -- Fire Station No. 1 and George Owens Nature Park -- but said those sites are not immediately accessible because staff must be contacted to open them. "Tornado warnings happen so fast," he said, asking staff to think about accessibility and response time when drafting final language.
The mayor and staff also discussed types of approved shelters: an ICC 500-rated shelter was identified in materials shown to the council, and King referenced images of home-installed shelters that survived the Joplin tornado. No motion or vote was taken; King asked staff to continue drafting the ordinance and to return with more detailed language and implementation options, including whether incentives or community shelters might reduce the burden on homeowners and small businesses.
