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August 14, 2002
Saratoga, California Since 1955 |
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Fire district spars with city council
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Mandy Major
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During the Aug. 7 city council meeting,
accusations from the public prompted a heated
discussion regarding the remodeling plans for
Saratoga's fire station. Council members were
angered by accusations that "backdoor
dealing" had occurred between the city and
the fire station, with Vice Mayor Evan Baker
firmly refuting the allegations.
The other council members supported the vice
mayor while restraining their obvious
annoyance at the attacks, describing their
continued involvement and effort as open to
the public and well-intentioned.
Councilwoman Ann Waltonsmith remarked that
the council denied the Saratoga Fire
District's rebuilding plans because they did
not comply with the standards previously set
by the council. She stated that the council
would continually deny the plans until they
were exactly up to the city's codes and
standards.
Citizens who made the criticisms stated they
would keep appealing until their needs were
satisfied as well.
Representatives from the fire station showed
some frustration as Fire Chief Ernie Kraule
told the council about his desire to get the
process of reconsideration moving as fast as
possible. Kraule mentioned the department's
weariness as a result of the prolonged
process and its need for a fully functional
station.
Mayor Nick Streit then moved for further
discussion concerning the rejected firehouse
plans. The council stated that the issue
should be sent back to the planning
commission for reconsideration due to the
multiple questions concerning new efforts.
Streit stated that the plans would be
"significantly different than the original
plans and as such, need an entirely new order
of reconsideration."
The council then unanimously voted to approve
the resolution, officially giving
reconsideration duties to the planning
commission.
Tom Sullivan, director of community
development, said this settlement would
provide the planning commission the
opportunity to "review the plans as if
reviewing a new project, requiring them to
hold the necessary hearings and
deliberations," as would be done for all city
projects.
The city management had no comment.
Plans for rebuilding began in 2000 with a
vote by residents within the fire district to
allow for a $6 million bond to update the
outdated firestation.
There was a desire to widen the road in front
of the station, allowing for an additional
lane to aid traffic congestion and to provide
fire engines room to back up safely into the
station. It was also found that the station
was seismically unsound and not code
compliant.
In June 2001 the planning commission approved
plans for remodeling, excusing several
elements that did not comply with zoning
codes. Two citizens appealed this decision,
thus forcing the issue back on the city's
agenda. The plans were then denied by the
city because of the noncompliant elements,
prompting the lawsuit between the station and
city, which was settled recently, on July 17,
2002. This decision, the first move toward
reworking new firehouse plans
post-settlement, provides the planning
commission with an unspecified amount of time
to rework plans before presenting them to the
council for approval at a future date.
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