City Council recommends fire lane ordinance for Willows emergency access
City Council · Meeting of August 13, 2026
Salem committee backs emergency fire lanes for Willows neighborhood. The City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses and Legal Affairs voted 3-0 to recommend an ordinance creating fire lanes on Beach and Sutton Avenues, establishing a backup emergency route to the Willows after a prior flooding event blocked fire department access via Columbus Avenue. The plan removes existing bollards and designates two no-parking areas, eliminating approximately two parking spaces.
Deputy Fire Chief Peter Schaeublin confirmed emergency vehicles could navigate the streets, though public commenters raised concerns about winter feasibility and resident parking impacts.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 409 words
Source: the City Council meeting of August 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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