07.01 - Request for Variance to Fire Code - American Legion

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As you can see by the action taken, we have complied with the majority of the items listed. We are also willing to comply with item #5 (which is not required if we comply with item #6) provided we get a variance for item #6. The entire size of the building was used to determine the square footage of over 5000 square feet. The total main bar area is only 1600 square feet and the assembly area is only 3320 square feet. Our assembly area no longer gets the use where there are huge dances with people standing elbow to elbow. We haven't had over 300 people in the large assembly area for years. We believe an occupancy load of 82 in the main bar area and 217 in the large assembly area is more realistic for today's usage. This would only total 299 occupants and would fall below the threshold requiring both item 5 & 6. We also believe that the safety of the public and building occupants will not be jeopardized. There are more than sufficient exits in the large assembly area. The main bar area has sufficient exits, also. In emergencies, an additional escape route would be through the kitchen and into the large assembly area. We believe that installing an automatic fire alarm system will provide more safety for the occupants than in most public buildings in this area. Also, being within a few blocks of our quick response fire department gives additional safety to the public. The cost to install an automatic sprinkler system would result in undue hardship, not only to the Legion Post, but also to the community. Although we would probably get approval from the Minnesota lawful gambling board to cover much of the cost; this could result in a loss to the community in excess of$50,000.00 in charitable contributions. We are, therefore, requesting that you endorse this variance request so we may submit your endorsement along with our request for variance to the State Fire Marshal in St. Paul. Thank you, IKMeAyer,%om mander Ben Krueger American Legion Post #49 Attachments: (3) Copy of Instructions for Request for Variance Hand written copy of Fire Marshal's Inspection Printed copy Fire Marshal's Order with Extention 2