VILLA PARK : City Tries to Escape Label as Fire Hazard

Concerned that homeowners’ insurance rates would rise and property values would fall, the City Council is trying to have Villa Park excluded from a controversial fire-hazard designation.

An Orange County Fire Authority official said this week that the local effort may succeed. Fire Authority Division Chief Patrick L. Walker told the council Tuesday night that he thinks the state will pass over Villa Park because of a new city ordinance requiring roofs to be fire-retardant.

At issue is a new state law that requires some urban areas near brushy, undeveloped land to be formally listed as “very high fire hazard severity zones.”

The state Forestry Department informed Villa Park last month that the northern half of the city, which borders some undeveloped brush lands, may be included in that designation. Council members immediately vowed to fight the designation, beginning by revising the building code.

Council members John Frackelton and Bob Patchin criticized the proposed code change, saying that many sections were poorly written and badly defined. They voted no, but the three other council members supported it.

The 3-2 passage of the new building code included the requirement for fire-retardant roofs when homeowners decide to replace them.

Walker, who was at the meeting, said the fire-hazard designation is an “extremely emotional” issue and that it is still unclear what it portends for property values and insurance rates.