To the Editor:

 

There is much discussion in Marion about the advantages of “stretch codes.”  These are initiatives that require homes in a community to be built to building standards that exceed state and international building codes.    

A stretch code increases the square foot replacement costs for a home significantly.   Increasing construction costs increases home insurance rates.  For everyone! Even if you don’t change anything -- the insurance cost for your home will increase. 

Be informed!  Contact your home owner insurance carrier.  

This is an example of a significant collateral impact of a bylaw change that is not stress tested and certainly not widely understood by town home owners.