Roof discussions continue
Officials seek to fireproof city as much as possible
By MEGAN THOMAS
Express Staff Writer
The city of Sun Valley is proceeding toward adopting roofing requirements to reduce the city-wide fire hazard.
During a planning and zoning commission work session Tuesday, Assistant Fire Chief Michael Echeita proposed two roofing requirements to prevent a catastrophic fire caused by the spread of flames from roof to roof.
After hearing the fire department?s proposals, Mayor Jon Thorson suggested that a draft ordinance containing the proposals be put on a subsequent meeting agenda with a public hearing. At that time, the P&Z would vote on whether to recommend passage of the ordinance to the city council.
The fire department?s first proposal was to ban all wood roof coverings. Thorson said he would back that proposal.
The second proposal would allow the city to set residential roof requirements according to zones designated by the fire department. According to the proposal, all buildings and structures in the high-risk area?defined as the Red Zone with lots that border Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service land?would be required to have an approved Class-A covering.
Class-A coverings include materials such as metal, slate, asphalt and tile. No wood shakes or shingles would be allowed in that area.
All other single-family residences located outside of the zone would be required to have Class-A assembly roofs. Those are constructed with an asphalt sheet under the roofing structure. If the houses used wooden shakes or shingles, restrictions would apply.
All commercial and multi-family buildings and structures in Sun Valley, regardless of location, would be required to have a Class-A covering roofs. No wood shakes or shingles would be allowed.
The proposed ordinance would also state that remodels of more than 1,000 square feet would need to include replacement of the entire roof to conform to the codes.
?Our job is to prevent the loss of life and property,? Echeita said. ?This is our way to help us do our job.?
