Two-minute impact
During a public hearing on a new set of regulations for commercial and residential developments in the county, representatives from the MCFCA expressed concerns regarding the required width of streets in subdivisions.
According to the proposed regulations, the county would only require a minimum road width of 22-26 feet in subdivisions. Jason Oliphant, fire chief with Montgomery County ESD 1, said the proposed minimums would create a "significant risk for delayed emergency response times," and he advocated for the minimum to be set at 28 feet for subdivisions.
Oliphant said that in many subdivisions in the county, residents park along curbs in front of their homes, which can prevent a fire truck or ambulance from being able to travel down the road. In one instance, Oliphant told commissioners that a resident attempted to get in an ambulance to move it further down the road so other traffic could pass.
Quote of note
"Weaving in and out through this traffic is just going to potentially cause patients and people having a delayed response," Montgomery County Fire Marshal Jimmy Williams said. "When residents park on a curb ... emergency vehicles can't get through, and that's our concern with narrow streets."
The action taken
Commissioners requested County Engineering Director Thomas Woolley work with the MCFCA to make the recommended improvements to the county's development regulations. Work on the regulations began in May, and another public hearing will be held at a future Commissioners Court meeting. Meetings are held at 501 N. Thompson St., Ste. 402, Conroe.
