"This sets, I feel, a terrible precedent that codes can be changed routinely. And I still stand by the people I pay to be experts in this," says Clint Rux, Aberdeen City Council.

The Aberdeen City Council voted four to three to change the city's fire code law to fall in line with the international fire code. This specifically addresses the parking garage located west of the ward owned by Blackstone developers. Fire officials are adamantly against the new code and say that it can pose hazards. "It makes parking garages structures that we, as firefighters or the general public, that is maybe using that facility, could place them in danger in that we may not be able to vent the necessary smoke and toxic products of combustion in a timely manner," says Aberdeen Fire Marshal Mike Thompson.

Under the new code, the parking garage will remove the requirement for sprinklers and a portion of windows on one floor as long as there is proper ventilation. "We are still following the international code, which is the important thing to do. If this building was not following the international code, I wouldn't be for it," said Aberdeen City Council Member Todd Campbell.

Council members who voted against the change say they trust the recommendations of the Aberdeen Fire Marshal and Fire Chief. Those who voted in favor of the amended code say that the international fire code is a good model to follow. City officials say the reason parking garages were not specifically addressed when the fire code was first drafted is because Aberdeen did not have parking garages at that time.