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Home My WebLink About1999 04 12 Regular Item B I t \ I COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM B CONSENT INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR X Meeting MGR (2", ~EPT j~ Authorization I April 12, 1999 REQUEST: The Fire Department requests that the City Commission review the following information relative to a proposed wall behind Fire Station # 26 and provide staff with any direction it deems appropriate. PURPOSE: The purpose of this request is to present the City Commission with information in regards to complaints that have been received from a neighbor behind Fire Station # 26 and to present a recommendation for a wall and landscaping to buffer the activity and sound that occurs at this location. CONSIDERATIONS: . Fire Station # 26 was originally constructed in 1976 and the land and building was donated by the developer to the City. The City in return for the Fire Station purchased a Fire Engine and staffed the station. . Fire Station # 26 at time of construction was on a dirt road (Northern Way) that ended at the Water Plant adjacent to the Fire Station. The area was rural, with the closest neighbors being located on Winter Springs Blvd. The area adjacent to the Fire Station remained somewhat undeveloped over the years. Property in front of the station developed into single family homes and originally the area behind the station was proposed to develop into commercial property. . When the property behind the Fire Station came up on a development review for single family homes, it was suggested to the developer that the wall that they were going to construct on Northern Way be continued behind the Bell South and Fire Station property. April 12, 1999 Regular Agenda Item "B" Page 2 The developer whose main concern was the cost to construct the wall behind this property turned down this recommendation. Prior to the lots being developed directly behind the Fire Station the original metal building that housed the Fire Station was razed and a two story masonry and wood Fire Station was built to new wind standards and for aesthetic purposes to blend into the surrounding neighborhood. The lot behind the Fire Station was one of the last lots that the developer constructed in the subdivision. . Soon after occupancy of the lot directly behind Fire Station # 26, complaints were received about noise and safety concern in regards to the vehicles and equipment utilizing a driveway adjacent to the fence behind the Fire Station. Fire Department personnel have altered operations to try to minimize the impact the facility has on the neighborhood, but the nature of our business requires that we come and go at all times of the day and night and the accessory equipment including saws, generators, etc must be exercised so that we maintain a readiness state. . The City Managers office also received complaints and authorized a Fire Station # 26 enhancement study by Starmer-Ranaldi Planning and Architecture, Inc. (ATTACHMENT 1). This study lays out possible solutions to the noise complaints by erecting an 8' brick wall and various landscaping enhancements. FUNDING: No funding has been budgeted for this project. This project as recommended by the consultant would cost approximately $30,000 including design fees, wall construction and landscaping enhancements. RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending that the Commission decide if it desires to make improvements at Fire Station # 26 and if so authorize the City Manager an amount not to exceed $30,000 for the improvements recommended by Starmer-Ranaldi Planning and Architecture, Inc. The funding for this project would come :from the General Fund reserves. April 12, 1999 Regular Agenda Item "B" Page 3 IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: April 1999 - Advertisement for construction bids. May 1999 - Award contract. June-August - Construction. ATTACHMENTS: A - "Fire Station No. 26 Enhancement Study" COMMISSION ACTION: Firestation No. 26 Enhancement Study Table of Contents OCT t 6 1998 1. Executive Summary CITY OF WiNTER SPRINGS 2. Written Narrative City Manager 3. Site Plan 4. Estimate of Probable Costs 5. Pictures . SrI Fire Station No. 26 Enhancement Study Executive Summary Purpose: This study was commissioned by the City of Winter Springs to investigate concerns from surrounding homeovmers, and to recommend any improvements that may improve the fire stations overall appearance as well as make it a better neighbor to the surrounding residential commwtity. Methodology:This study was undertaken by a registered architect with the ftnn of Starmer Rana1di Plaruting and Architecture Inc (sri) who revie\\'ed as built drawings, visited the site, spoke with fire fighters, and interviewed surrowtding home owners. From this information and data collection a master plan was then prepared delineating a number of improvement option:;, including an estimate of probable constmction cost for the various improvements. This study was very brief in nature directed primarily at exterior sound and aesthetic issues, and should not be construed as a comprehensive analysis of the building's physical condition as it relates to life safety, zoning, building codes, and I or environmental regulation compliance. Summary: In our opinion the majority of the surrounding residents have no complaints with the fire stations location and opera1io.ns at this site. In fact just the opposite appears to be the case where residents feel a genuine sense of comfort and safety with this facility as their neighbor. It should be noted thAlt since the on set of several complaints registered by one neighbor in particular. that the fire fighting personnel have made several personnel sacrifices in a11 attempt to lessen the impact of their presence. These changes include refraining from social activities in the rear of the station, reducing the radio and tone signal annu11ciation system. trying to keep the rear apparatus bay doors closed most of the time, and servicing and cleaning apparams in front of the station which used to take place in the rear of the statiOIl There are however certain intprovements that can be made to the facility which would improve the quality of life for those residential properties adjacent to and directly behind the fire station to the east. The one single improvement which will have the most significant impact towards easing the COncerns of the immediate neighbors, would be to erect a solid masonry wall separating their property from the fire station property. The cost of which would varies depending on it' s height, length, and use of materials. In our opinion should the City chose to provide funding for certain enhancements to this facility, erection of an 8 fool high brick wall the entire width of the rear property line coupled with addilionallandscaped areas for an approximate construction cost of $ 30,600, would make a significant impact OIl the facilities appearance as well as resolve the majority of the concerns of the neighbors. . SrI Data Collection: Interviews: Fire Station No. 26 Enhancement Study Written Narrative In our review of the as built drawings the facility appears to be built according to the plans in terms of site geometry and amenities. No wall was shown on the drawings and there was no landscape plan. the disturbed soil was simply to be sodded It should be noted that at the time of the construction of this facility the current residential subdivision behind the site to the west, was not built but rather a wooded area. Research at the county tax appraiser's office indicated that there were four residential property ov...ners adjacent to the fIre station, two west of, and two east of the site. The attached letter labeled "exhibit An was mailed to all four residential property owners as well as three additional owners located on Pleasant Grove Drive who where thought to possibly be affected by the fIre station activities. Only two residential owners responded the ownen; of the property located directly behind and east of the station, at 510 Pleasant Grove Drive, and at 512 Pleasant Grove Drive. Interview Q!~: This family expressed significant concern over the activities at the fIre station with the following summarized issues: 1. Voice conversations. radio calls, and the annW1ciation alert tones disturb them. 2. They are concerned about safety as the vehicles return to the station and loop around to the rear doors. Specifically about the possibility of engines hitting there wooden fence causing damage to the fence or worse to someone in their yard 3. They alluded to the fire department wanting a brick wall behind the station, which was turned down by the city for budget reasons. We were W1able to substantiate this claim. 4. Due to respiratory problems the gas and exhaust fumes are an W1colnfor!able nuisance to them 5. They are concerned about the safety as it pertains to the fuel tank behind the station. 6. Fitness and social activities such as nuuling, jogging and picnicking aroWld the groW1ds disturb them. .7. They did express that a solid masonry wall would be acceptable to them and would resolve the majority of their concerns. Intetview I_wo: This family did not express the same concerns and in fact felt a sense of security and r.afety with the station being so close. The one concern that did arise was the lack of privacy in the yard because the station is two stones. IntetviewT!lree: We spoke briefly with the Lieutenant on duty at the station regarding their understanding of neighborhood concerns and although he had not personally experienced any complaints directly he did explain that all station personnel have been counseled al length regarding taking extra precautions to avoid disturbing the new residential community to the east. i.e. 1. keeping rear doors closed 2. keeping radio and alert tone volumes to a minimum 3. servicing vehicles in the front instead of the rear 4. not leaving veh.icles mooing in the rear of the station Conclusion: It is inevitable as the City offers it's numerous services to the citizens that certain conflicts arise and this is one of those circumstances. Unfortunately the existence of the station docs create unnecessary stress on both parties. Stress on the fire fighting personnel in an already stressful career as they worry about keeping a positive relationship with their neighbors, and stress on the homeowner who worries about their quality of life and value of their property. One obvious solution is relocation of one or the other to avoid conflict however this is not fmancially feasible and will not be part of the recommendations of this report A few possible solutions are as follows: L One solution is the construction of an 8' masoruy wall as shown on the attached site plan, which would add sound control and a perceived rigid barrier from potential accidents. Note that an 8' wall would likely require a variance from the neighborhood homeowner's association. 2. A second solution is to move the return drive away from the residential property, however this is not a recommended solution since the turning radius is currently at a minimwn and damage to extremely expensive fire engines as they return must be avoidecl 3. A third solution is to install a vegetation banier to cut down sight and sound However such a banier would require various layers and types of vegetation to be reasonably effective and the 1 to 2 feet strip between the return drive and the neighboring fence clearly does not provide adequate depth to support such vegetatiotl 4. As it re.1ates to fumes from the fueling tank behind the station part of the problem, as we wlderstand it, is the frequent use by other City vehicles for refueling. Perhaps they could use other facilities or the fuelling tank could be relocated across the street at the treatment plant site, where fumes are less apt to annoy residents. In tenns of aesthetic enhancements to the fire station aside from some routine maintenance required like stripping and painting the building's wood fascia boards and trim, the stmcture is residential in character and modifications to it would not prove to make a noticeable improvement in our opiniolt Landscapi.ng could on the other hand go a long \vay to break. up the plain site and reduce the stark appearance of the facility. Several locations for possible landscape improvements are shown on the attached site plan. In our opinion, should the City chose to provide funding for certain enhancements to this facility, erection of a brick wall and installation of landscaping in locations a, b. c, and e, for a camhi ned cost of $ 30,600, would make a significant improvement to the facility and solve the primary concerns of the concerned neighbors. . SrI --- [I I I I Legend i ,~, I;:::!:!! . 1 ' . I " · t' .' .. - . ~ p!.!;tllr::; .tY.:anCh :nu a.:..~cn : I - ; Q a landscape grouping .--- Fire Station No. 26 Site Plan ~ ! I I I iff I f -~ l --- - ---- ill - - ____. ~ ID 110' florida powell' corp CllIIIClIDClIt L proposed masonry wall --~ nsidcatial rmdcmial heetah Trail ~ ~ ~'I ~ d . srI phono company tam.af"cr .witch .... 2G' oe1 98 Firestation No. 26 Enhancement Study Estimate of Probable Cost 1. Brick Wall 190 feet @ 120 = 22,800 2. Block Wall 190 feet @ 90 = 17,100 3. Landscaping a. group 1) irrigation 300 2) 20 shrubs 1500 1800 b. group 1) irrigation 300 2) 3 trees 375 3) 12 shrubs 900 1575 c. group I) irrigation 300 2) 6 trees 750 3) 8 shrubs 600 1650 d. group 1) 2 trees 250 e. group 1) irrigation 300 2) 5 trees 625 3) 24 shrubs 1800 2775 f. group 1) irrigation 300 2) 4 trees 500 3) 12 shrubs 900 1700 g. group I) irrigation 300 2) 4 trees 500 3} 24 shrubs 1800 2600 . SrI 1 2 3 4