The Sun City Fire Department has developed a plan to stop businesses from opening in Sun City and Youngtown without the department's knowledge. Walk past the old Trader Joe's location at 99th Avenue and Thunderbird Boulevard and you'll see that plan in action. Hanging in the window of that vacant space - and every other empty space in Sun City - is a small white sign that reads, "Do Not Occupy."
"We started doing this about two years ago," Fire Marshal Ken Rice said. "Maybe a little longer. There were businesses moving in without telling us, and it was creating some headaches for us. We thought this would be a simple solution."
The sign informs the owners and/or potential tenants that no one may occupy the space without authorization from the Sun City Fire Marshal. The reason for the requirement, Rice said, is so the fire department can put a stop to potentially dangerous situations before they happen.
"Now, we get a phone call, and we have the opportunity to arrange a meeting with the business going in to talk about it," Rice said. "We find out what they do and if it is an allowable use, and we are able to do that before they even move in."
Some businesses cannot be permitted to operate in certain spaces, Rice said, and some are not allowed to be adjacent to certain other businesses.
"That is something we can address with them beforehand," Rice said. "We don't want them to move in next door to another business if that move creates a hazard of some kind."
It also gives them an opportunity to introduce the new business owners to the neighborhood.
"We give them some information about what we do, tell them about our inspection procedure so they aren't surprised when we show up for that six months later, that sort of thing," Rice said.
So far, Rice said the program has received positive feedback.
"It's worked out really well for us, because we are getting the information we need," Rice said. "But it's been a hit with the businesses, too. They definitely appreciate what we are doing. I get a lot of phone calls from people wanting to know about those signs."
For information, call the Sun City Fire Department at 623-974-2321 or visit www.suncityfire.com.