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The national database of state and local wildfire hazard mitigation programs
serves as a clearinghouse of information about nonfederal policies and
programs that seek to reduce the risk of loss of life and property through
the reduction of hazardous fuels on private lands. If
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Title: |
Boulder, CO - New Firesafe Subdivision Design
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Type: |
Regulatory
Demonstration projects
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Jurisdiction: |
Subdivision
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State: |
Colorado
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Program Description: |
New Subdivision Design in Boulder, CO
Perimeter Road Concept
The City of Boulder Fire Department has come up with a new recommended subdivision design to reduce the danger posed to firefighters and trucks by fire in the wildland �urban interface. In a typical subdivision, when wildfire threatens, the fire department is forced to park its trucks in cul-de-sacs or interior streets to protect the homes. The men and trucks are endangered by the potential of those homes to catch fire. The new recommended design uses a perimeter road with available hydrants as a buffer between homes and wildlands. Justin Dombrowski, Wildland Fire Management Officer for Boulder says of the new design, �With a design like this, we can have a couple of engines float around the outside and protect the entire subdivision.�
Cooperative Planning
When a new subdivision was proposed on 57 acres of land on the northern edge of Boulder, and in the foothills of the Rockies, the City of Boulder Fire Department began working with the developers to make the subdivision safer from wildland fire. The new subdivision, called Dakota Ridge, is designed with the road and fire hydrants on the exterior, facing the wildlands. The road forms a buffer around the subdivision, between the houses and the open space. From a distance the subdivision looks like most others, but you don�t see the backs of homes, you see the road and the fronts of homes across the street.
At this time, Boulder�s subdivision regulations do not require the exterior road. Fire Department personnel were able to convince the developers that the increased safety from wildland fire was worth the extra cost of placing a road on the exterior. The developer points out that the road allows the public to enjoy the open space, whether walking or driving down the street. Other firewise concepts have also been incorporated in the design, including a strategically placed, three acre manicured park.
Dakota Ridge is built on the concept on the New Urbanism, which combines homes with places for people to work, shop and socialize. When complete the subdivision will contain 400-plus residential units, including single family homes, townhouses and condominiums. It will also have commercial and civic sites and a park.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Justin Dombrowski, at 303-441-4351, or by email at [email protected]. |
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