Marshall Fire Update (Jan. 22)

Hi everyone – I recognize that not everyone has been able to keep up with the sheer numbers of meetings and announcements following the Marshall Fire.  So, what follows below is an update on a few critical areas: (1) debris removal; (2) drinking water; (3) rebuilding; and (4) the Town’s adoption of “Green” or “Net-Zero” building codes.

Debris Removal

The Town has entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement with Boulder County to participate in a FEMA coordinated clean-up of destroyed or damaged homes.  Louisville is also participating in this coordinated effort.  At a meeting on Thursday, January 20, 2022, Boulder County informed us that the following is included in the coordinated debris removal program: all necessary permits; air monitoring; traffic control; dust control; spill control, reporting, & clean-up; stormwater & erosion control measures; equipment; debris removal crews; independent property assessment; property damage liability; certified asbestos crews; proper separation and handling of all waste; third-party monitoring of all work; certified arborists; capping of all utilities; and closure plan sign-off.

The County has asked FEMA to include foundation removal as part of this work.  Based on damage assessments by local building officials and structural engineers, foundations will most likely not be reusable because of damage from the heat and intensity of the fire.

The County has currently issued an RFP for debris removal contractors — and the window for the RFP closes on February 1.  The County anticipates hiring multiple contractors to work through the debris removal process.  Residents should expect that it will take 3-4 days to clear an entire property and after clean-up, the properties should be “shovel ready” and able to be rebuilt upon.  Boulder County expects to have more information regarding a timeframe for the debris removal process by Mid-February.

For more information, please visit the County’s Debris Removal Program website and complete the Right of Entry Form.  The current deadline to complete this form is Wednesday, January 26.

Drinking Water

The Town’s water treatment facilities were damaged in the Marshall Fire.  However, the Town’s water treatment capabilities have been restored and the Town has flushed its water distribution network. In conjunction with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), the Town has taken samples at numerous points within the distribution as well as from residences. These samples have been tested for constituents associated with drinking water criteria as well as for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). All tests have met drinking water standards and CDPHE has lifted all boil-water advisories and has informed us that the water is safe to drink.

Nevertheless, many residents continue to complain that their drinking water smells and tastes like smoke.   Mine does as well.  The Town continues to work with CDPHE to test affected residents’ water.  Also, beginning in early February, the Town will start diverting our water supply to avoid the Town’s water reservoir (located west of McCaslin Blvd. next to the Ridge Neighborhood) at which point, residents will receive water that is coming directly from the Northern Water System (which collects water from the Upper Colorado River near Grand Lake and which collects water in Carter Lake near Loveland.)  This diversion will allow the Town to better troubleshoot and identify the cause of the smoky-smelling and tasting water.  It will also allow for the Town to inspect, treat, and further address any issues in Superior’s reservoir.

In the meantime, potable water will continue to be available for residents at the Superior Community Center.  Bottled/boxed water is located in the south side parking area between 8:00am-5:00pm.  Residents may also fill their own containers from the 500 gallon tank of drinking water located at the outdoor patio.

Rebuilding

The Town has published a helpful guide that outlines our Marshall Fire Rebuilding Process.

One question that we’ve heard from a number of impacted residents is whether there could be a coordinated rebuild with a single builder to take advantage of economies of scale.  While nothing is final or has been decided, the Town is working to facilitate options for coordinated rebuilding with interested builders to construct multiple homes in a neighborhood. For these homes, the Town would work to coordinate an expedited permit review. Collaboration within subdivisions where planned development zoning exists will be necessary if different designs (relative to existing approvals) are selected and a rezoning process may be necessary.

Please visit the Town’s Marshall Fire FAQs for more information.

Green or Net-Zero Building Codes Proposals

One concern we have heard from residents who lost their homes is regarding the potential that the Town may adopt amendments to our building code that would make it more expensive for residents to rebuild.  As a bit of background, the Town regularly adopts changes to our building codes — which are based on “model” building codes that are used all across the country.

As part of our regularly scheduled building code update process (which the Board heard on January 14, 2021), the Town Board heard proposals for building code amendments which also included “stretch” goals which would make our building codes more environmentally sustainable.  For example, the proposed amendments could require all-electric residential construction and prohibit natural gas appliances.  Alternatively, the code amendments could require that natural gas appliances meet a certain level of efficiency.

However, the Town Board did not adopt the proposed code amendments as drafted and we are waiting on an analysis of what the costs of such requirements would be if the code amendments are implemented.  Personally, I am concerned that our residents have already been through enough, and I am not supportive of adopting any code amendments which would make it more expensive to rebuild — notwithstanding the fact that the Board generally is trying to move Superior in an more environmentally sustainable direction.  Please stay tuned for further discussions on this topic at a future Town Board meeting.