Borough ZBA To Consider

Firehouse Variance Request

By Andrew Gorosko

Borough Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) members on May 15 are scheduled to consider, and possibly act on, a requested zoning variance from the Newtown Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Company in connection with the fire company’s controversial proposal to expand its firehouse in a residential zone at 45 Main Street, behind Edmond Town Hall.

The Borough ZBA session is slated for 7 pm, Thursday, May 15, at Town Hall South, 3 Main Street. The public hearing on the zoning variance application concluded on April 29.

If the fire company receives the requested zoning variance from the Borough ZBA, it also would need approval for the expansion project from the Borough Zoning Commission.

But the fire company has encountered some stiff opposition to its zoning variance request. The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers and some Main Street residents have voiced various objections to the firehouse expansion proposal.

To improve its facilities, the fire company wants to demolish one existing garage bay on the eastern side of its firehouse and replace it with a brick, three-bay garage covering 2,750 square feet.

Borough zoning regulations would require a minimum setback distance of 25 feet between the proposed new construction and the property line to the north at 49 Main Street. The fire company instead proposes that the new construction be only 5½ feet from that property line, which is the same distance that the existing firehouse lies from that property line, and is thus seeking a zoning variance to build closer to a property line than would otherwise be allowed.

The town hall managers say it is unclear how a firehouse expansion would affect a planned Edmond Town Hall improvement project, which includes the installation of an external elevator shaft at town hall in the vicinity of the firehouse. The town hall and firehouse share common parking lots and driveways.

Main Street residents have expressed concerns that if the firehouse were to expand, commercial properties along Main Street also might seek expansion projects. Other issues raised by Main Street residents include the visibility of an expanded firehouse from Main Street, which is in a historic district; decreased property values; and traffic safety concerns.