Controversial Sprinkler Law Won't Go Forward As Written, Pols Say

BROOKLYN, NY — A controversial fire-safety law that homeowners say would be "catastrophic" for New York City's brownstones and row houses will be rewritten before it comes to a vote, council members promised this week.

Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr., the chair of the Housing and Buildings Committee, vowed Thursday that he would not allow the proposed sprinkler law to come to a vote as it stands, according to Kings County Politics.

The new law, which faced a hearing with Cornegy's committee on Wednesday, would require owners of residential buildings more than 40 feet tall, or about four stories, to install automatic sprinkler systems within the next decade. It is part of a package of fire-safety bills prompted by deadly fires.

“I will not do anything for small homeowners to lose their hard-earned equity. There is no way this will come to a vote ever as long as I’m in office,” said Cornegy. “I will not be voting for a bill that hurts homeowners or our affordable housing stock, especially in this climate. Period.”

Cornegy's stance doesn't come as a surprise given concerns he expressed after Wednesday's hearing about the law, which homeowners say would leave small property owners with "astronomical" costs and construction challenges.

The Brooklyn council member made his concerns clear after the hearing, but didn't take a direct stance on the proposal until the next day.

Another Brooklyn council member, Carlos Menchaca, was also persuaded by the hearing to reverse his support for the new law. He withdrew his sponsorship of the bill with a statement citing the high costs and potential displacement.

Queens Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik, who introduced the bill, said Wednesday that he will work on revising it before it moves forward.

"It’s obvious to me and I think to both chairs that this bill could not go forward as is currently written," Grodenchik said.

Homeowners have recommended making the law only applicable to high-rise buildings, like the Trump Tower building that prompted the rule. In 2018, a deadly fire at Trump Tower prompted a renewed discussion of sprinkler requirements.

They have also pointed to the possibility of capital funding to help homeowners front the six-figure price tag of installing a sprinkler system.

Read More:

• New Sprinkler Law Catastrophic For Brownstones, Brooklynites Say