HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 8.A-Memo 03/15/2004O n A
CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA March 15, 2004
MEMORANDUM
Community Development: Department, 11 English Street Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 778 -4301: Fax (707) 778 -4498' E -mail: cdd @ci petaluma.ca.us
DATE: March 9, 2004
TO: Mike Bierman City Manager
FROM: Mike Moore, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Replacement of Fire Station Number 1
You have asked me to address the process by which the City can address the question of the
possible replacement of Fire Station No. 1, downtown. Of course,, the operational needs of the
Fire Department are paramount iii ,determining the locational advantages or disadvantages of
potential sites. The purpose of this memo is to address the steps that may be necessary once a
location is selected.
As you know, potential replacement sites for the relocation and replacement of Station 1 are
limited by a variety of factors:, emergency response time constraints, parcel size, availability of
• land for sale, and cost, to name several There are really two process questions that need to be
addressed. First is determining the most appropriate site for a possible relocation given existing
circumstances. This is a very limited discussion that can focus on a very narrow range of
questions: Is it appropriate to consider :relocating Station 1 ,now, or at least in the near future
(within the next 1 -3 years)? What is the geographic area where Station 1 must be relocated in
order to maintain the community's expectations for emergency response times? Are there
properties available now or - are likely to become available in the near future that would meet the
operational requirements of the Fire Department? What ' is the ultimate cost to the City to
purchase land and construct a new fire house that meets the operational requirements of the Fire
Department? Is the use of the site fora fire house consistent with the applicable provisions of the
Central Petaluma Specific Plan and :related Smart Code? The answers to these questions are
largely dependent on fairly specific operational, financial and regulatory circumstances that
require significant input from City staff (Fire Chief, Finance Director, City Manager) and a
determination from the Council. These discussions would, of course, be held in public as part of
a regular City Council meeting or even a designated special meeting in April or May.
The more extensive public process would logically occur after a. site for a new fire house was
selected and acquired. This would be the process that would. tie together all of the particular
community concerns that are typical of any kind of new development: What kind of development
entitlements are required? How does the proposed design fit with the surrounding area? How will
the operation of the fire house fit with surrounding area? What are the environmental issues that
need to be addressed (traffic, noise, historical, etc.)? Is the proposed design and other site
planning and design features consistent with the applicable provisions of the Central Petaluma
Specific Plan and Smart Code? This'process, particularly because it is a City facility, can be as
extensive as necessary to satisfy the concerns of the community and achieve the desired results.
The participation of the public can range from scoping the environmental document to
commenting on the details of the architecture, colors, materials, and so forth; and can be
established at the outset by direction of the City Council. Once that process is established, it
would be up to Community Development, working closely with the Fire .Department, to move
the proposed fire house, •from conception through the various approvals in accordance with the
City Council's direction and the applicable policies and regulations that may apply.. A timeline
for the process can begin. as soon as a basic project description is established, site planning and
design have , reached an appropriate level of detail and the entitlement steps have been
determined.
In conclusion, it appears that once the City Council has determined an appropriate site for the
potential relocation of Station 1, they Also have the ability to clearly define a public process
related to the details of a new fire house proposal that would not only result in meeting: the
operational needs of the Fire Department but, also have the broad -based support of the
community. We look forward to assisting you and the Fire Department in whatever way we can
as this matter unfolds.
c: Chris Albertson, Fire Chief
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