Sylvania Twp. considers building new No. 1 fire station

Fire Station No. 1 onMonroe St. THE BLADE Enlarge | Buy This Photo

During a public hearing next month, Sylvania Township trustees will take comments about the possibility of constructing a new No. 1 fire station at the site of the existing station in downtown Sylvania.

Following an executive sesson during the trustees' regular meeting Tuesday night, trustees decided to conduct a hearing at 6 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Sylvania Township Office, 4927 Holland-Sylvania Rd. Trustees said that they want to hear from the public about building a new facility on the property of the current station on Monroe Street.

Many locations have been considered, including one on Erie Street, but this has met opposition from the community. Concerns include fire coverage in the downtown area if the new station is located elsewhere.

Location proposals were requested by the trustees in April, and the officials met in early June to debate the acquisition of potential properties. At the end of the June 5 meeting, after a lengthy closed-door, executive session, trustees decided not to take any action.

Fire Station No. 1 is the last of three township fire stations to be replaced as part of a capital campaign. Voters approved a 1.25-mill general operating levy in 2008 for three new stations, as well as the remodeling of Station No. 4.

Everything has been completed except Station No. 1.

The township fire department is responsible for protection in the township and city, and officials have disagreed for years over a replacement site for the No. 1 firehouse.

The issue has been contentious, especially in the city of Sylvania, where the current station is at 6633 Monroe St. Township fire officials have maintained that the current site on Monroe just west of Main Street is ill suited because it is too small and is compromised by frequent traffic backups.

Last September, the trustees eliminated 7610 Erie St. as a site for the new station after nearby residents voiced strong opposition, saying they feared it would disrupt the neighborhood and they would be awakened by lights and sirens. State law dictates that if emergency lights are on, the siren must be activated as well.