20070808093454.pdfAugust 6, 2007
Jobn Westfall — Fire Marshal
City of Edmonds Fire Department
121 5h Avenue North
Edmonds, WA 98020
Dear John:
This letter is in response to the requirement for a fire hydrant that has been added to the
building permit #BLD20070439 for 8710 Main Street, Edmonds.
From ongoing conversations with the City of Edmonds Engineering Department and reading
the City of Edmonds code, our understanding is that proper fire hydrant coverage requires that
the structure shall be not more than 300 feet away from the nearest fire hydrant. We have
measured the distance from the nearest fire hydrant to the property, and found it to be
approximately 200' away from the property corner, 260' from the nearest site access, and
about 290' away froxn the front of the residence. These distances have been eonfinned using
survey drawings that were conducted for this property. As we understand the City
requirements, the fire hydrant coverage at this site is adequate.
We would also life to make the observation that the project involves replacing an existing
single family residence with another single family residence on approximately the same
footprint as the existing residence. Although the square footage of the residence is increased,
the City of Edmonds code only mentions hydrant coverage in terms of distance from the
hydrant. Consequently, there is no change to the fire hydrant coverage required with this
project. Also note that according to the City of Edmonds code, section 19.25.070.H, hydrants
may be installed by "city capital contract, developers (as a condition of development) or
public works department employees." We are only the homeowners, and not developers, and
would appear to not be allowed to install a fire hydrant per the code.
From our discussions, you have stated that your interpretation of the code requires the hydrant
despite the reasoning above. We believe .this fire hydrant coverage is the responsibility of the
City of Edmonds, and not of area homeowners, and therefore request again that this
requirement be removed from the permit. Please provide written response to this letter so that
we can document and understand the reasoning behind the requirement for the fire hydrant as
a condition on this permit.
Sincerely,
Tim Hecox
206-353-7916
Site Address: 8710 Main Street
Ce: City of Edmonds Development Services