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Frequently Asked Questions
- I live in a neighborhood near a proposed new fire
station location. I am delighted with the prospect of having emergency
response services close to my home, but I am concerned about the potential
for increased noise and traffic safety. How will the District address my
concerns?
Answer:
Noise mitigation will be accomplished with the addition of sound walls,
shrubbery, trees, building orientation, activity moderating, building
materials and construction techniques, and appropriate use of emergency
apparatus sirens and horns. Traffic safety will be addressed through the
introduction of signage and with the possible addition of an emergency
traffic signal, as determined by a traffic engineer.
Of the 42
fire stations currently in operation by the District, approximately one half
are located in residential neighborhoods and the other half are located in
commercial areas. In addition, five of the existing fire stations are
located immediately adjacent to community parks and six fire stations are
located adjacent to or within three blocks of a public school. The District
prides itself on being a good neighbor with an exemplary safety record.
- How will the District dispose of the surplus fire
stations once the new ones are built and ready for occupancy?
Answer:
The District Board of Directors must declare real property surplus to the
District’s needs in order to authorize the Fire Chief to dispose of the
property. Once the Board has declared the property surplus, the District
will publish and post a public notice to request sealed bids for each
surplus property. The public notice will be published in the Sacramento Bee
under Legal Notices. Postings of the public notice will be made on the
District’s website and at the public information bulletin board located at
the District’s administration building at 2101 Hurley Way, Sacramento.
Following
the receipt of sealed bids, the District will open and evaluate the
proposals. District staff will prepare a recommendation to the Board of
Directors to accept the most qualified bid or to reject all bids. The
determination of the Board of Directors is final. An offer that has been
accepted by the Board will be followed with the execution of a purchase
agreement, which upon close of escrow, will finalize the property transfer.
Existing fire stations will not be declared surplus until after they become
vacant. The earliest date that this is expected to occur will be sometime
around Fall 2006.
- What are the District’s plans for the use of the
sale proceeds of any surplus property?
Answer:
The District intends to utilize the sale proceeds of surplus property to
offset the cost of building new fire stations or other District capital
improvement projects. Therefore, the sale proceeds will be placed into the
Capital Improvement Fund for allocation by the Board of Directors for
capital improvement projects.
- I understand several District owned buildings would
need to be demolished to make way for the new fire stations. Could I
purchase and remove some items on the District’s property prior to
demolition?
Answer:
For liability reasons, the District must rely solely upon the services of a
demolition company that is properly licensed, trained, and equipped to
remove any improvements in the way of the new fire station development.
Allowing a demolition contractor to salvage the District improvements prior
to demolition will also help reduce the cost to the District (and ultimately
the public) for the overall demolition. For these reasons, the District
cannot allow a parting out of its surplus facilities.
- My local fire station appears old and in need of
replacement, but I do not find it on the list of stations planned for
reconstruction. When will my station be considered for replacement or
rehabilitation?
Answer:
The Board’s adoption of the “District Facilities Master Plan - Phase I
Implementation” in March of 2003 initiated a program to construct eight new
fire stations in various locations throughout the District. Your project will be
evaluated and considered for inclusion in subsequent phases for capital
improvements. The District will continue to operate and maintain its
existing infrastructure, including fire stations, until such time as new or
renovated facilities are available for occupancy.
- How will I continue to receive emergency services
during the construction period if my fire station is in need of demolition
to make way for the new one?
Answer:
Temporary accommodations for continued uninterrupted service may be required
at some locations. For example, the District intends to replace Station 32
located at Hazel Avenue and Roediger Lane in Fair Oaks with a new facility
at the same location. The District plans to operate out of the existing
fire station building while construction of the new fire station takes place
immediately adjacent to the existing one. Once the new fire station
building is completed and operations are relocated into the new building,
the old fire station building will be demolished and the site work (vehicle
circulation, parking, and landscaping) will be completed.
- How may I participate in the planning process for a
proposed fire station near my home or business?
Answer:
You may participate by forwarding comments, suggestions, or questions to
Chuck Horel, the District’s Project Manager, at the following email address:
horel.chuck@smfd.ca.gov or by writing to the Sacramento Metropolitan
Fire District, 2101 Hurley Way, Sacramento, CA 95825-3208 attention: Chuck
Horel, Project Manager.
You may
also participate through the Sacramento County conditional use permit review
process as conducted by the County Planning and Community Development
Department. Local Community Planning Advisory Councils (CPACs) will conduct
public meetings for each fire station project. All property owners located
within 500 feet of a proposed new fire station project site will receive
formal notice of the CPAC meetings through the US Postal Service. For CPAC
agendas, access the County’s website at
www.co.sacramento.ca.us under Planning – Advisory Groups.
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