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Contributed commentary by Carl Eisemann of Woodlawn: 

Robert Navarro makes some very valid points in his opinion piece (“Three-house fire shows new homes are being built too close together,” Clarksville Now, July 16). Yes, the closer together homes are constructed increases the possibility of a neighboring home being ignited. But what he calls “builder greed” is what the builders call an attempt to hold down the cost of housing and maintain a sufficient level of profitability. It is debatable what that level of profitability should be. As far as building codes, there are recommended codes when it comes to fire protection.

Many codes specify that at a 5-foot from lot line separation, i.e. 10 feet between structures, the installed siding must be fire retardant for one hour, to a height of 40 feet. There are numerous types of fire-resistant siding like cement siding, stucco, metal and engineered fiber board. Ship lap or tongue and groove siding are the best. Additionally, a builder could apply a fire retardant to the surface or subsurface, like Pyrotite, or metal for additional protection. There are several homes/commercial buildings in Clarksville that have all metal frames. With the cost of lumber, maybe that is the way to increase fire safety and cut total building costs.

Lastly, when you are talking about building codes, it comes down to who is responsible for establishment of the zoning and codes and the restrictions and or variances. Here we are talking about the Clarksville-Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission, and the Building and Codes departments. They are the ones that set safety guidelines and also the ones that grant exemptions or variances to the regulations they have established. It would be interesting to note if any of them are in some way are connected, or influenced, –by the home building industry.

However, it is ultimately your elected representatives that oversee those commissions and departments. How many times have you noted that an exemption was granted by the Clarksville City Council or Montgomery County Commission to override the recommendation of a department?

Carl Eisemann