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Winnetka looking to mandate sprinklers for commercial spaces
The Chicago Tribune recently covered a fire sprinkler initiative in Winnetka, highlighting the growing debate over a proposed ordinance that would require commercial buildings to install fire sprinklers in the near future. The plan has sparked mixed reactions from local business leaders, with some calling it a necessary safety measure and others criticizing it as an unnecessary financial burden.
Winnetka Fire Chief Alan Berkowsky explained that officials sent out surveys to around 500 local business owners and landlords this summer to gather feedback on the proposal, which will be reviewed at the village council meeting on November 11. He emphasized that the current system, which requires sprinklers when a building changes use—such as from an office to a retail space—has been in place since 1977. The new measure would expand that requirement, mandating sprinklers in all commercial buildings, including private schools, within five years.
Berkowsky pointed out that the downtown area has a unique risk due to the close proximity of buildings, making fires more likely to spread quickly. He referenced a recent fire in Mount Prospect, where a small blaze in a historic building quickly engulfed nearby businesses. This example, he said, underscores the importance of the new regulation.
Several members of the Business Community Development Commission have also voiced support for the sprinkler law, citing long-term benefits for public safety. However, not everyone is convinced. Landlord Glenn Weaver, who owns a 3,600-square-foot building on Lincoln Avenue, argued that the existing change-of-use rule has already made it difficult to attract tenants. He said one of his units has remained vacant for five years because a previous tenant operated under a professional use designation, requiring any new retail tenant to install sprinklers.
Weaver criticized the fire chief’s approach, calling it alarmist and claimed that the cost of compliance is too high. He has already spent nearly $40,000 on fire alarms and smoke detectors, but still finds it hard to fill his spaces. He also questioned whether he received the survey, suggesting that the distribution process may not have been thorough enough.
In response, Berkowsky confirmed that the survey was sent to all commercial businesses, and that online options were available for those who preferred not to receive a physical copy. He stressed the importance of community input and urged business owners to share their views before the final decision is made.