Fire district may expand duties: Menlo Park wants fire officials to have more say in construction of safe homes

Palo Alto Daily News

The city of Menlo Park is looking to give the local fire district more authority in reviewing new and remodeled homes, a move that will add a step in the approval process, but will also enhance fire safety, officials with the district and city say.

Starting May 1, the Menlo Park Fire Protection District will review plans for all proposed single-family homes, new basements, remodels that increase square footage by more than 50 percent, accessory structures bigger than 1,000 square feet and gates across driveways.

The fire district will look specifically at water flow, fire hydrant location and how readily crews can enter a property with trucks and hoses. The district plans to charge $190 for each review, which will take up to three weeks. Residents can pay $300 for an expedited review, which will take less than a week.