Using an old burned helmet as a way of demonstrating the hard work and dedication the volunteer firefighters at Fire Station 1 in Toano put into their work, James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department President Phil Murdock made his case for the need for a new station.
Every ding, scratch and burn mark on a firefighter’s helmet tells a story, Murdock told the James City County Board of Supervisors during a public hearing Tuesday, and that is why firefighters reluctantly hand over their helmets for new replacements when the time comes.
“The time has come, just like an old helmet, where it can no longer serve the purposes of our department,” Murdock said in reference to the existing fire station.
The board voted unanimously to approve a rezoning and special use permit application to clear the way for replacement Fire Station 1 to be constructed adjacent to the existing station, but not before hearing from Murdock, another spokesperson on behalf of the fire department and James City County resident Chris Henderson during a public hearing.
Henderson said he had no objections to the rezoning request, but asked the county’s staff to look into the cost estimate for the fire station, which has a current price tag of about $6.3 million. Additionally, Henderson said there is no necessity to seek Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification because it’s an expensive, feel-good process that doesn’t necessarily lead to a more efficient building.
The planned 24,000-square-foot fire station with a 2,000-square-foot additional equipment bay option would seek LEED silver certification, the second highest level of LEED certifications. The plan to seek certification stems from a 2010 Sustainable Building Policy, which recommends new county buildings strive to reduce energy costs and show commitment to the environment, according to a staff memo to the board.
With the replacement station doubling in size from the 12,500-square-fooot station that exists now, the building will house 30 firefighters in dorm space and will incorporate a new training center and separate offices.
Station 1 serves “the most rural area of the county as well as suburban, commercial, multi-family, and industrial areas,” reads a staff memo to the board. Because of this makeup, the station has more fire and rescue vehicles than any other station in the county. About 10,000 square feet of the replacement station will be dedicated to emergency vehicle space.
The replacement station will provide a training room to be used as a multiuse facility, including as a temporary shelter for residents during weather events, and will contain a kitchen area.
After commending the volunteer department and four James City County fire staff assigned to the volunteer station for excellent work, the board voted unanimously to approve the special use permit and rezoning request.
Other Board Business
Veritas Preparatory School, a planned classical college preparatory school, got the green light from the board Tuesday, as well.
A special use permit was granted for the school to open to sixth through 10th grades, with a planned expansion to 12th grade in the future at 275 McLaws Circle in Busch Corporate Center next to James A. Burden DDS and Associates.
James City County resident Diane Cavazos is fulfilling a gap she said she noticed in the classical, college preparatory school market in the area about 10 years ago.
Every student at Cavazos’ school would graduate with six to eight credits more than a student attending public high school, and every student would learn Latin. The school would offer calisthenics until an alternate physical education program is established, and students would bring lunch from home.
Parents would drive children to and from school, rather than the school using buses for transportation.
The James City County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a special use permit for the school with no discussion Tuesday; a public hearing had no speakers.
Related Coverage:
- JCC Planning Commission to Consider Rezoning for Toano Fire Station Replacement
- New Toano Fire Station to Continue Long Community Legacy
- James City-Bruton Volunteer Fire Department to Host Public Info Session on New Fire Station
- JCC Supes Vote to Purchase Land for New Toano Fire Station
- JCC Supes to Discuss Land Purchase for New Toano Fire Station
- JCC Explores Property Purchase to Build New Toano Fire Station
- JCC Budget Proposal Allocates Nearly $700,000 More to New Fire Station
