05/24/1994 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Proposal to construct a new facility. Heard by Architectural Review Board 5/18/94. R. Bohhnann, Service Director, explained that this will be replacing the existing fire station number 1, and is the first major improvement to the city of North Olmsted since the administration building was built in 1983. It will be a 5 bay fire station with approximately 18,500 square feet, with an estimated cost of about $2,500,000. Both of the -existing fire stations are about 40 years old and, hopefully, the second one can be replaced in a few years. He advised that the parking lot encroaches by about 2 feet on the eastern boundary, and there is a 3 foot encroachment on the southerly line, abutting the school soccer field. He introduced Mr. and his daughter Ms. C. Dickson, architects for the project. Mr. Dickson explained that Ms. Dickson had designed the build.ing, and any design questions could be addressed to her, but first, Mr. J. McKnight, the landscape architect, would make his presentation. Mr. McKnight explained that the property fronted Lorain Road near Coe, there would be a 25 foot wide concrete driveway that enters the property near the east line, and trucks would circulate arou.nd the back and enter the bays from the rear. There would be a 26 space parking lot for the staff and a 9 space visitor parking lot fronting Lorain Road near the entrance of the building. A patio off the day room would be for the firemen. The landscape plan shows that the perimeter of the property, especially the east and west lines is heavily landscaped, the southern portion abuts the Board of Education properiy which is heavily wooded. Plantings consist of evergreens, shade trees, and shrubs. He explained some of the various types of plantings to Mr. Orlowski and explained to Mr. Miller that they would be saving about 5 to 10 percent of the existing trees. They will be meeting with the forester on the site after the building and drive are staked in order to determine exactly what could be saved. The grade in the center of the property will have to be raised, so it will not be possible. to save those trees. There will be a fence running along the east properiy line for 250 feet with returns of 12 feet on either sides adjacent to tho residential property. No fence is planned adjacent to the Board of Education property. Mrs. O'Rourke asked if children might not go back there. There will be an 8 foot high du.mpster enclosure in the rear and another enclosure for recycling containers. It was clarified that there is to be an irrigation system for the planting and lawn area. Ms. Dickson explained to Mr. Orlowski that the 60 ineh by 60 inch metal panel system was not a reflective material, it is an enamel finished panel in a light color, and was used to reduce the structural weight of the materials. She presented a sample of the aluminum panel with a baked enamel finish and explained that it would be on the second floor areas maiuly in the back of the build.ing. A sample of the brick was presented later in the meeting. Ms. Dickson explained to Mr. Miller that expansion space was planned into the building, but there would be no opportunity to expand the building at this site. Fire Chief Osterhouse explained that this station is planned to serve for the next 30 years, if after that more space were needed, such as if more land were annexed, another station would be required. Judging from the population and buildable land, this station would be adequate under nornial conditions. Mr. Miller believed that a new building was needed because of the size of new equipment and in anticipation of facilities of female officers. Chief Osterhouse stated that these issues were taken into consideration and this building is desigued for 30 to 40 years in the future. Mayor Boyle advised Mrs. O'Rourke that the new building would be only one factor in rating of the city for fire insurance. He further noted that this location made it easier for trucks to get in and out and, population wise, it was more centrally located. Chief Osterhouse noted that North Olmsted is wider on the eastern side of the town, and locating that station a little further east was an advantage, a new location could not have been any 8