Lawrence City Commission considering stricter fire codes for animal facilities

Rayven Toal, 3, enjoys viewing some young cockatiels in a display Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at Pet World.

Lawrence city commissioners will be asked Tuesday to approve stricter fire codes for commercial buildings that house animals in the city.

The proposed new rules, which would require automatic sprinkler systems in any animal-housing facility larger than 3,000 square feet, come in the wake of fires at two such facilities in the past year.

The first occurred Nov. 29, 2014, at Christal K-9, in which at least three dogs who were being boarded were killed. That fire prompted city commissioners at that time to initiate a review of the city’s fire codes for animal-housing facilities.

In May, another fire broke out at Pet World, a retail pet store, resulting in the deaths of many animals. The store owner has never revealed exactly how many animals died.

The proposal being recommended by city staff would only apply to new facilities or to existing facilities undergoing renovation. But some organizations are suggesting the regulations should be even tighter.

The Lawrence Humane Society is recommending the rules apply to all new or renovated animal-housing facilities, regardless of size. And Pet World is suggesting that all existing facilities be required to install sprinkler systems immediately.

City officials said they considered making the requirement retroactive when they held meetings with pet industry representatives this spring, but they were persuaded that would be too great a cost for existing businesses.

“A few animal service business operators shared that they attempted to install fire sprinkling systems in the past, but retrofitting their facilities was too expensive,” Assistant City Manager Brandon McGuire said in a memo on the subject. “The installation cost of retrofitting existing facilities with fire sprinkling systems is the primary concern voiced by the majority of stakeholders.”

But Pet World owner Sherry Emerson said the entire pet industry needs to catch up with modern fire safety standards.

“Normally we’re ahead of the curve, but we got way behind it when it comes to fire safety,” she said. “If it puts us out (of business), it puts us out. If you can’t do it safely, maybe it shouldn’t be done.”

According to an informal survey by city officials, there are 13 commercial animal-housing facilities, including pet stores, in Lawrence. Of those, 11 have monitored fire and smoke detectors connected to a phone line. The other two have fire and smoke detectors that are not connected to a phone system.

Only one facility has a fire sprinkler system, according to the city survey, although it did not identify which facility that is.

Assessments waiver

Also Tuesday, commissioners will be asked to waive nearly $45,000 in special assessments for a parcel of land in the East Hills Business Park to accommodate a business expansion.

Prosoco Inc., 3741 Greenway Circle, which makes building materials, has announced plans to buy the former Kinedyne building just south of its own facility. But it also wants to acquire a vacant parcel that lies between the two buildings so it can build a driveway for the Kinedyne building.

Bruce Boyer, co-owner of Prosoco, said his company is launching a new venture to manufacture insulated wall-panel products for energy-efficient homes and commercial buildings.

Boyer said he expects the new plant to start producing the first prototype products by the first of the year, employing as many as five people in the early stages. If the new venture is successful, he said, the plant may employ as many as 25 workers in the future.

The property is owned by Douglas County, and the special assessments owed to the city are to pay for streets and utilities in the business park. Under an agreement with the city, those assessments are typically paid when a parcel is sold, and the city routinely considers waiving those assessments on a case-by-case basis.

Kinedyne, which made cargo straps and similar products, closed its doors earlier this year.

Douglas County has offered to give the vacant parcel to Prosoco at no charge, on the condition that the city waives the special assessments.

Tuesday’s meeting begins with a 4 p.m. study session followed by a regular business meeting at 5:45 p.m. at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.

In other business, the commission will:

• Hold a work session beginning at 4 p.m. with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Douglas County commissioners to discuss options for making the west leg of K-10 Highway, from Interstate 70 to Iowa Street, a four-lane, controlled access freeway.

• Consider naming Joe Harkins to chair the Advisory Committee on the City Commission Vacancy, as recommended by Mayor Mike Amyx.

• Receive a performance audit on protecting personally identifiable information from City Auditor Michael Eglinski.

• Receive the results of the external quality control review of the city auditor.

• And receive an update on the city’s arbitrage liability review, consider authorizing payment of $44,101 plus accrued interest of $7,358, and request to have the $44,101 refunded to the city.