VILLA PARK : City Council Rejects Fire Sprinkler Plan

The City Council this week rejected a proposal by the Orange County Fire Department to require fire sprinklers in all new homes built in Villa Park.

The sprinklers would have added about $4,000 to the cost of a new home, but council members unanimously extinguished the proposal, saying the issue boiled down to freedom of choice.

“As far as I’m concerned, it’s not a matter of cost,” said City Councilman Bob Patchin. “I don’t feel that the city should be dictating sprinklers in millionaires’ homes.”

About 25 more homes potentially could be built in this small, upscale community, city officials said.

“The city is essentially built out. I don’t think we should be forcing the last few homes to have sprinklers,” Patchin said. “I think people are grown up. They can make their own decisions.”

Not so, according to a disappointed Bob Hennessey, assistant county fire chief.

“I don’t believe people are that familiar with the system and need to be educated because (sprinklers) are so successful,” he said, adding that they should be installed in all homes.

However, a different sentiment was expressed by City Manager Fred Maley, who said: “If someone is going to spend half a million dollars on a new home here, they should have a choice. Let the builder decide.”