Brentwood Approves Downtown Fire Station in Split Vote

On Tuesday, the Brentwood City Council overturned a decision by its planning commission that will now allow a downtown fire station to be built.

The vote came after nearly 5 hours of discussion and around 1:30 am Wednesday where the council voted 3-2 with Mayor Susannah Meyer and Councilmember Jovita Mendoza dissenting.

The design review was before the city council after the planning commission denied the fire station in a 4-0 vote on May 6. In response, Councilmember Tony Oerlemans pulled the item for council review.

“If I would have left this in the planning commissions hands, they would have left it with no direction for fire to go. It would have came back, they would have denied it again and it would have been a constant delay of this fire station whether it happens or not,” explained Oerlemans who then pointed out the hypocrisy. “Some of you are surprised that we have pulled an item from the planning commission. I’ve been here for 2.5 years on the dais, this is the 10^th one this council has pulled up from the planning commission.”

He added it shouldn’t come as a surprise when “your boss decides to check your work” and that is all this was. He also wanted to see the work happen faster so he pulled it so they could make a decision while the timeline doesn’t continue for another year and a half.

According to city staff, prior to the meeting, they received 45 written public comments in opposition while 179 in support of reversing the planning commission decision and to approve the fire station. During the meeting, they had more than 50 public comments that were a mix of support and against the station.

Michael Ross, architect of the building, disagreed with the planning commission decision for denial of the application based on their analysis of the downtown specific plan. He said the project met all the requirements and was hopeful the council will find basis to approve the design – noting the fire station has been on the site for nearly 100-years. He also pointed out the project was in compliance with development regulations, except with three trees in a parking lot which could be fixed. He also called it 63% smaller than the maximum allowable to build on the site and 25% lower in height than allowable.

Contra Cosata County Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Aaron McAlister called this about public safety, improving services in Brentwood and firefighter safety. He said placing more resources in Brentwood makes it safer for everyone. He also shared information on Station 90 at Empire and Amber Lane and why it was moved. It had to do with agricultural products in the soil that are not acceptable to build on for residential development. He added Pioneer Elementary School property was cleaned, but the dirt placed on the other property—since that time, the standards to clean the soil has changed. The site was determined not to be viable due to cleanup costs – estimated at $8 million. The new location for Station 90 is at Lone Tree and Windy Spring which will be a larger station and will house a double company.

During discussion, Vice Mayor Pa’Tanisha Davis Pierson took nearly 30 minutes to go through all the issues many have brought up regarding the station along with why CEQA does not apply (see video below)

After Pierson was completed her commentary, Mendoza disagreed and believed they did meet a CEQA review and provided a power point presentation and spoke for about 34-minutes on multiple items. She called the fire station a safety hazard while also negative health outcomes from exposure to air pollution along with sound from sirens along with traffic impacts. She also highlighted the downtown specific plan with hazardous materials from the generator.

Mendoza also cited Brentwood design standards and color of the brick, she wanted a lighter brick while questioning why didn’t CONFIRE provide a better looking stations – pointing out how beautiful Clayton, San Pablo and Bay Point stations are. She highlighted her thoughts on design, parking, curb cuts, and circulation. She also brought up the firefighters planned gym inside the station. She called the gym too big for three firefighters and suggested CONFIRE make the gym smaller, let the veterans have the land and none of the issues would have come up.

“We are here because you needed a really big gym for three individuals” stated Mendoza. “A gym does ask for a CUP and may be appropriate for gyms, swim clubs and other health exercise clubs. It says it in the downtown specific plan.”

Mendoza believed the parcel was never meant to be a fire station again, but didn’t want to say “no” but also suggested more work needed to be done.

Councilmember Faye Maloney sought out clarification on CEQA and highlighted the gym is not something open to the public or people seeking out memberships—but used for firefighters to keep up with their health and fitness requirements. She did not like the red brick and wanted to tweak it, along with providing some direction on design, including matching neighboring buildings.

She also addressed the claim that the county is taking away the veterans hall saying she has never heard that or seen factual information that was happening—she was addressing misinformation and false statements.

“I haven’t seen that anywhere that the veterans hall is being taken away,” stated Maloney. “That is something I would fight for. I wouldn’t want the veterans hall to be touched at all. I would want it to be improved, elevated and renovated and supportive to our community.”

She also addressed comments that public safety is rhetoric.

“Public safety is not rhetoric. Public safety is very important. Life matters,” said Maloney citing the Paradise fires and would never want to see that here. “I do believe we desperately need another fire station, two, or three but I do believe we need to work with the applicant on design.”

Oerlemans asked Contra Costa County Fire a series of questions including moving the generator which McAlister said moving it would be potentially problematic—at this point, its not movable.

Oerlemans stated he was a fan of red brick and believed fire stations should be red brick and industrial looking, but asked if they could change the color of the brick. McAlister said they are prepared with a variety of colors if needed. McAlister also agreed on a variety of conditions with the downtown and events. Including adding a storage structure next door.

Mayor Susannah Meyer called it a shame and that it should never have gotten to the point if you support it one way you are against the other. She said the county, city, fire department and veterans should have all gotten together to figure it out. She said it was unfortunate that its now “us vs. them”. She suggested if everyone got into the room together, it could have been a productive conversation.

Editor’s Note – two years ago, Councilmember Tony Oerlemans attempted to have that meeting, however, it was hijacked by another councilmember and the meeting was cancelled.

Meyer said she did believe they needed a CEQA on the project due to the impact of the building. She wanted to advocate for it out of transparency and process because of the community engagement that comes out of the process.

Meyer also took issue with the 179 written public comments citing a “bot situation” where they can automatically email city council – she said they got a huge amount of them.

“For me, Brentwood tells Brentwood what to do. Brentwood residents who elected all of us and count on all of us to do what is best for them that is who I listen to,” said Meyer. “We actually received some letters from surrounding cities and some cities who don’t surround us, I don’t think that is the right thing to do either. I would not tell Antioch, Oakley, Discovery Bay or Concord for that matter what they should be doing as far as their policy decision. I would appreciate it if they don’t do that to me.”

She further said the design does not meet criteria and does not fit the downtown calling it to become more consistent with downtown.

“It is hard to put emotions aside on this. I feel emotions on both sides. I’ve always had a great relationship with the veterans and I feel like I had a good one with the fire,” said Meyer who called it hard because its divided the community with “us vs. them”.

Meyer closed by saying she believed it did not belong downtown for a variety of reasons while also requesting a CEQA.

Motion Made by Pierson and seconded by Oerlemans:

Resolution for approval:

Shaped parapets
Getting rid of flat roof
Project shall employ “Hacienda” light brick… include building parapet shaped similar designs depicted on page 109 of Downtown Specific Plan, including windows with arched elements on the top (if feasible, or decorative feature) to satisfaction of director of community development.
Three Trees added to parking lot
Permit shall not prohibit street closures for city-approved special events due solely to the existence to the fire station being located on the project site. If necessary, permits will either stage emergency vehicles offsite or use Diablo Way as ingress/egress to provide proper service to the community for the duration of the relevant street closure
Prior to Certificate of occupancy being issued, permittee shall cause to be installed three ADA-complaint parking stalls on the adjacent

Roll call vote: passes 3-2 with Meyer & Mendoza voting against.

Note – Pierson asked Supervisor Diane Burgis about funds committed to improve the Veterans Hall. Burgis confirmed she was committed to it and its been budgeted and asking for earmarks. She said she was ready to work with the veterans.

Sand Creek Location vs. Downtown Brentwood

Oerlemans asked for clarification on the potential Sand Creek property for a station in 2005 and why they were looking at it then.According to acting City Manager Darin Gale, it was a development project was occurring at the same time as the downtown specific plan. He could not locate documentation that explains why there was a parcel set aside for a fire station along Sand Creek Road and why improvements were made—the lot is not a shovel ready parcel. If a fire station was to be build, they would have to go through a similar process as the one now. Gale didn’t know if there was a request to set aside land for a fire station—either by Brentwood or the fire district. There was discussion of it, placed in the environmental document and has been a city owned parcel since that time with the idea it could be a fire station. He didn’t know if it was a fire district item or city led initiative.

Oerlemans asked if it had to do with Brentwood creating its own fire department and not owning the land. Gale said he couldn’t speak on that, but could be part of the reason for another property for a fire station.

Notable Public Comments:

Fire Chief Lewis T. Broschard III, shared the goal was to increase staffing and fire service while reminding the council the project meets all requirements, while staff agrees with the CEQA exemption. It also meet zoning and regulations. The station would put 3 firefighters in a station daily with modern apparatus and advanced life support services and equipment in one of the busiest areas of the city—they can be deployed with reduced response times and making a difference.

Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías spoke in support of the fire station given the growth and need for essential services, including fire services. She called public safety a top priority and the fire station will save lives and reduce response times. She called on coming together to support veterans while ensuring Brentwood is safe. She reminded the council, the boards are advisory to the council, the council are elected officials and elected by the people, she called commissions wonderful opportunities to contribute and engage, but the buck stops at the council.

Diane Burgis, Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor, explained three years ago they celebrated annexation to Contra Costa County Fire and were all in agreement that more fire service was needed. She said while there are a lot of conflicts, she will work to resolve them, but said CONFIRE determined this was the location to build a fire station and that communities in east county was a vulnerable community because it doesn’t have the support like other communities have—they are on the edge. She called public safety a priority. She reminded the council about what their own police chief said regarding the 5^th beat by Brentwood Police Department, that positioning for response was important.

Kevin Romick, former mayor of Oakley and former fire board president of East Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, explained the closures of fire stations was due to extreme budget issues. He explained Station 54 was shuttered not because of call volume, but geography where 3 stations were left covering 250 square miles. He called it a good location and should support it.

Maria Alegria, former mayor of Pinole, urged the council to support Fire Station 94.

Courtney Masella-O’Brien, Martinez School board Trustee, urged the city council to support building the fire station citing the efforts of Measure X which this part of the county needs added services. She said with what is going on in Washington DC, they may not have this opportunity again. She also said those calling firefighters special interest “not only unfair, but offensive”.

Vince Wells, president of Unified Professional Firefighters of Contra Costa County, Local 1230, said he wished they could have a back and forth, but called the project not about something new, but rather restoring something essential as Station 94 has served the community since 1930’s. But noted the VFW and firefighters have served side-by-side for decades. He said the rebuilt returns public safety where its long-belong.

Tim Sbranti, executive director of the Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council, urged the council to move forward with the construction of fire station 94 without delay. He addressed CEQA and how its exempt and the design review standards, the station design complies. He said the council had no choice but to move forward. He called it a “false choice” over a better location in the future because it may never be available.

Brian Oftedal, former president of East Contra Costa Fire Protection District, said during this meeting, there have been 8 fire calls within the city of Brentwood. He was in full support of building Fire Station 94.

Note – the City of Antioch, City of Martinez, City of Oakley, and Mayor of the City of Concord, all submitted letters in support of the fire station.