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Town council approves new Leesburg fire station
Volunteer Fire Station No. 1 faced another close vote Nov. 27 when Leesburg's Town Council decided, with a 3-2-1-1 vote, in favor of upholding the town's Board of Architectural Review's approval of the station's renovation project.
Downtown Leesburg residents packed council chambers to present their appeal of the BAR's September decision, a 4-3 vote, approving plans for renovations and additions to Volunteer Fire Station No. 1 on Loudoun Street.
These plans include demolishing the current station – built in the late 1960s – to make way for a 3-story 15,697-square-foot firehouse facing Loudoun Street with an additional 28,377 square feet of office space attached to the rear of the station.
Residents complained early during the BAR's review process that the building would be too large for the neighborhood and would cause traffic and parking issues.
They re-submitted their argument before the town council in discussions that went long into the night and included comments from a dozen concerned residents, fire station representatives, members of the BAR and town council -- but ultimately, council members upheld the BAR's decision.
Council members Ken Reid, Kevin Wright and Susan Horne sided with the BAR, giving a one vote margin over those who were against the BAR's decision -- Mayor Kristen Umstattd and Kelly Burk.
Councilwoman Katie Hammler abstained from voting, requesting the council take the time to review audio recordings of the meetings to clarify how the BAR made its decision. Councilman Fernando Marty Martinez was absent from the meeting.
Residents appealing the BAR's decision presented their reasons why the council should reverse the board's decision.
“We contend that the BAR vote ... shows a failure to follow ... it's own guidelines,” said Neil Steinberg, who lives on Loudoun Street and spoke on behalf of neighborhood residents. He insisted that the proposed structure is not compatible or consistent with the town's plan and would hinder downtown improvements.
Steinberg argued that the BAR had gone against its own staff's recommendation and factored in the fire company's economic concerns, which should not have been discussed.
The fire company had mentioned in BAR meetings that the reason for the office space was to create rent revenue to pay for the station's needs, which include fire-safety equipment and the buildings renovations.
“If you go by the guidelines, we met the guidelines,” said Volunteer Fire Capt. Pete Comanduras. “Downtown Leesburg needs new business and people downtown. That's what we're always hearing from [the] council. I think overall [the building] is a good thing. The BAR did a good job.”
Comanduras said that although the BAR knew about the fire company's financial needs, the board did not allow that to factor into its decision.
“They made us work for this,” he said of the approval.
During the public hearing following presentations by town staff, the fire station and the appealing residents, neighbors further complained that the new station would cause traffic congestion, exacerbate current parking problems in the neighborhood and cause accidents on Loudoun Street.
“If we based a decision on any of those things, we would be arbitrary and our decision should be reversed,” said BAR member Ned Kiley, explaining that the board looks at the building plans and not traffic concerns and because the site was zoned for a fire station and commercial space, it would not have to face scrutiny from the planning commission or the town council.
Of the site plans, Councilman Reid said, “I believe what's being put there is more historic-looking then what is currently there.”
Councilman Wright, who also voted in favor of the station said, “At the end of the day, it's not relevant to the BAR how [the building] is used,” what is relevant is that it fits the town's guidelines.
Mayor Umstattd said she believed the BAR's decision was persuaded by the knowledge of the fire company's finances and was there for arbitrary.
Umstattd said she didn't think the office space would help in the fire station's finances in the long or short term, creating a financial “black hole.”
Councilwoman Burk agreed saying, “I feel very strongly that this is not the right compromise at this point.”
The fire station's plans require no more approval by the town. Construction can begin once the town's staff and developers approve buffering and parking plans, said a town representative.
Contact the reporter at hhobbs@timespapers.com
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