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Winnetka looking to mandate sprinklers for commercial spaces
The Chicago Tribune recently published an article discussing a proposed fire sprinkler initiative in Winnetka, which has sparked a debate among local business leaders. The plan, which would require commercial buildings to install fire sprinklers in the near future, has received both support and criticism. Supporters argue that it’s a critical step for public safety, while opponents see it as an unnecessary financial burden with no funding backing it.
Winnetka Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky explained that officials sent out surveys to approximately 500 local business owners and landlords this summer to gather opinions on the proposed ordinance, which is expected to be reviewed at the village council meeting on November 11th. He also noted that the village already has a 1977 ordinance requiring sprinklers when there's a change of use, such as converting an office into a retail space. The new proposal would expand this requirement to all commercial buildings, including private schools, with installation needed within five years.
Berkowsky emphasized that the downtown area has a unique layout, with little or no separation between buildings, making fires more dangerous and likely to spread quickly. He referenced a recent fire in Mount Prospect, where a restaurant fire rapidly engulfed nearby businesses. Some members of the Business Community Development Commission have also voiced their support for the new sprinkler law.
According to Berkowsky, over 64% of businesses in the West Elm district have already installed sprinklers since the 1977 rule was implemented. However, some property owners, like Glenn Weaver, who owns a 3,600-square-foot building on Lincoln Avenue, are concerned about the financial impact. Weaver claims that the existing "change of use" rule has made it difficult to attract tenants, and he has had a unit vacant for five years. He believes that the fire chief is exaggerating the risks, calling it a scare tactic. Weaver has spent nearly $40,000 on alarms and smoke detectors but says the new requirements could push small businesses out of the area.
Weaver also mentioned that he never received the survey from the fire department and questioned how it was distributed. Berkowsky responded by saying that the survey was mailed to all commercial properties, and online options were available for those who preferred not to receive physical copies.