Royal Oak City Commission Tables Recreational Fire Discussion

The Royal Oak City Commission meeting Monday night left amending the Fire Prevention Ordinance in limbo, as commissioners opted to direct City Manager Don Johnson to survey sister communities that allow recreational fires.

"The majority of our immediate neighbors have some sort of open burn ordinance," said Commissioner Kyle DuBuc. 

DuBuc and others at the table want to understand what other communities experienced after lifting bans on open burning.

"I think there is a misconception that if we lift the ban Royal Oak will go up in a plume of smoke," said Commissioner Mike Fournier.

Fournier said he would like to know if cities that allow recreational fires, such as Ferndale and Birmingham, have seen house fires and runs to hospital emergency rooms go up or down. He also wants to know whether complaints went up or down once open burning was allowed.

Mayor Jim Ellison called Monday's discussion the first step of the process, saying there was not a reason to rush to a decision.

Commissioners voted 5-2  to direct the city manager to tap neighboring communities for information. Commissioners Patricia Capello and Peggy Goodwin were nays. Both women said they would prefer to put the issue before voters in November.

Previous coverage

• Recreational Fires on Royal Oak City Commission's Agenda Tonight
• Should Backyard Fires Be Allowed in Royal Oak?