Building Codes Stall Rebuilding For Some Tornado Victims In Fairdale
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Fairdale residents whose homes were lost or severely damaged in last month's tornado have been learning rebuilding is not going to be so easy.
When Fairdale was built more than 100 years ago, zoning restrictions and building codes didn't exist.
Kirkland Village Clerk Terri D'Amato, a member of the long-term recovery committee, said that has been causing some hiccups as residents seek to rebuilt homes that were destroyed by the storm.
"What the biggest thing is, is because Fairdale is a unique community, and that they had been formed back in the early turn of the century, most of those homes that were built back then were done so without the current building codes and limitations for what we now know is to be the building codes within DeKalb County," she said.
Podcast
Some homes might have foundations that aren't up to code, while others might be too close to the street, or might have a septic system too close to the well for drinking water.
Unfortunately for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed, officials can't simply relax building codes to help them rebuild faster, so officials must take things on a case-by-case basis.
"It's not going to be just a one size fits all kind of a thing. They're trying to do their best to work with all of the families to say, 'If you want to rebuild, that's what we want for you as well,'" she said.
Whatever the case, any code issues must be addressed before homeowners can get the proper insurance to rebuild.
