Brentwood Planning Commission Punts Decision on Downtown Fire Station

On Tuesday, the Brentwood Planning Commission agreed to continue the Design Review discussion on Fire Station 94 in the downtown area.

Citing the need for more information, the planning commission believed that it needed an Environmental Impact Review (EIR) and Conditional Use Permit (CUP) while also wanting more information on traffic, noise, and air quality. They also wanted to know why it didn’t need CEQA or an ADA report.

After a more than a 5-hour discussion, under a motion by Commissioner Gerald Johnson, he motioned to continue the item so more information could be provided which included a traffic study, a noise study, air quality study, and an understanding of ADA.

According to the City Attorney, under case law, their CEQA discretion is limited to design review issues.

Johnson adjusted his motion to issue a continuance with a traffic study, noise quality and air quality. He also requested information on the determination on why a Conditional Use Permit was not needed. The item passed in a 4-0 vote.

Commissioner Jeremy Jones recused himself from the item noting his employer has a building within the proximity of the proposed project site—while he did not believe there would be a conflict, without an FFPC determination, out of caution, he recused himself on the item.

Here is the meeting video:

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Brentwood Planning Commission Set to Talk Fire Station 94

On Tuesday, the Brentwood Planning Commission will discuss an application for Design Review to construct Fire Station 94.

Note – regardless how the commission votes Tuesday, in favor or against, the item will likely be pulled for discussion by the Brentwood City Council and this exercise will likely be repeated.

Located in downtown Brentwood at 739 First Street, the item before the commission is design review to construct a new 8,137 square foot, two-story fire station, including two apparatus bays, living areas, and associated site improvements, on a 13,427 square foot parcel.

The station served the Brentwood Fire Protection District in 1929. The station had been open until 2014 when it was placed out of service by the East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District due to budget constraints. By 2022, after annexation, Contra Costa County Fire Protection District demolished the station to prepare for construction of a new proposed fire station.

According to the staff report, the Downtown Specific Plan was adopted on November 16, 2005, and subsequently amended in 2014, 2016, and 2017. The project site is located within the Downtown Core zoning district, which allows fire stations as a principally permitted use.

The plans propose an approximate 8,137 square foot two-story building (with two apparatus bays), nine on-site parking spaces, landscaping, storm water treatment areas, a solid waste enclosure, lighting, and utilities. The apparatus bays will house a Type I engine and Type III engine, but no ladder trucks. Fire engines would only enter the site from Diablo Way, along the rear property line, and exit onto First Street. Pedestrian access would be from First Street. The proposed plans depict nine on-site parking spaces for CCCFPD employees; including one handicap accessible space. The proposed solid waste enclosure would be located along, and serviced from, Diablo Way.

Documents:

• DR24-013 Fire Station 94 – Community Development-2025-08.pdf
• Resolution 25-004, DR 24-013 DRAFT.pdf
• Project Plans.pdf
• Project Description DR24-013.pdf
• Letter to City Council 3 OCT 24.pdf
• Donald Hester, Public Comment.pdf
• HI-RES TURNING STUDY.pdf

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Editors Notes

From Contra Costa County Fire: There has been some misinformation spread about whether a fire station is still compatible with a denser downtown… Facts about incoming Station 94:

• Station 94 is in the perfect location to address the needs of the majority of Brentwood. Contra Costa Fire has mapped the density of calls for service in East County, and the largest, densest area of need is around Downtown Brentwood, exactly around the planned Station 94 site. The second-highest density of calls is in West Brentwood and is well served by Station 92.
• Station 94 will be built on property owned by Contra Costa Fire, while the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First Street will continue to operate fully on County-owned land that the veterans groups lease for $1 per year. This arrangement will not change; the veteran groups and other nonprofits who use the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building will continue to have full use of the buildings and their wheelchair-accessible ramp.
• Fire responses from Station 94 will not interfere with outdoor special events, parades or farmers markets in Downtown Brentwood. Station 94 will have Type I and Type III fire engines, which are smaller and more maneuverable than ladder trucks. Contra Costa Fire drivers are specially trained, and fire and ambulance responses downtown currently have no navigational issues. Contra Costa Fire operates out of similar downtown areas throughout the County, such as in Concord and Walnut Creek.
• Locating Station 94 on First Street is the best use of taxpayer dollars and the fastest way to build a station in Brentwood’s highest area of need. Building a station on land that Contra Costa Fire already owns saves taxpayers millions of dollars and potentially years of delays to search out and purchase a new parcel and complete new environmental reviews.