By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
After fielding concerns from commercial, industrial and multi-family property owners, Whitewater officials have decided to put the newly enforced lock box ordinance on the backburner for an indefinite period.
After wrangling over the pros and cons of the ordinance, the Common Council on May 3 agreed to pause enforcement as potential amendments to the legal document are considered.
Since the ordinance went into effect early this year, City Manager Cameron Clapper said it has generated discussion among impacted property owners.
“Many public questions and concerns regarding the ordinance have surfaced,” Clapper said.
Some of those concerns, which were revealed at the recent council meeting, included what some property owners have characterized as an unnecessary expense because property insurance already covered fires and other incidents. Concerns about an invasion of privacy also have been raised.
But proponents of the lock box ordinance, including representatives of the Whitewater Fire Department, point out the ordinance is designed to streamline what steps are taken in bona fide emergencies, such as fires.
Nearly a year ago, the council began discussing the lock boxes, which securely store an access key at an exterior location of a building. The ordinance does not apply to one large class of owners: single-family properties.
The boxes cost about $250, and is the property owner’s expense. A company known as Knox has been supplying the boxes and keys.
At a minimum, the existing ordinance, which has been considered ambiguous and poorly worded in some passages, will likely be amended. A subcommittee has been formed to dig into the issue and provide recommendations to the full Common Council in the months ahead.
