Burning could become option

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

— Burning old structures may become an option within the city limits if an ordinance governing the practice is brought back and approved by the city council.

Council members on Monday unanimously approved a motion to request the city attorneyprepare an appropriate ordinance for the city to allow property owners to burn old and dilapidated structures under certain conditions.

Numerous questions remain to be answered, such as the application procedure, whether or not the fire department will be on standby and fees to be charged.

The possibility of allowing buildings to beburned under certain conditions was suggested by Gentry Mayor Hogue as a possiblyless-expensive way to demolish and dispose of old buildings within the city, though city attorney Jay Williams said the fees necessary to obtain a burn permit and have the fire department standing by might make it more expensive than simply demolishing andhauling off unwanted buildings.

Council members were presented with a copy of the county’s ordinance permitting burning as a method of destroying unwanted structures. Any city ordinance would likely be more restrictive because of the close proximity of structures within the city and the danger of a fire damaging or spreading to other buildings.

News, Pages 2 on 03/03/2010