Oregon fire station gets OK to expand in River Front district

OREGON – The Oregon City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve a zoning variance and special-use permit for the Oregon Fire Protection District to expand its fire station in the city’s River Front Commercial District.

Close to 100 people squeezed into the council’s chambers or watched from the hallway as commissioners went against a Jan. 21 recommendation by the Oregon Planning Commission not to recommend the request, opting to approve the measure by a 4-0 vote with one recusal.

Oregon Mayor Ken Williams and Commissioners Kurt Wilson, Melanie Cozzi and Terry Schuster voted to approve the request, while Commissioner Tim Krug recused himself since he owns property near the station.

The council’s decision followed a presentation by Oregon Fire Chief Michael Knoup about the planned expansion and how it will be funded as well as a 30-minute public comment period.

The existing station, at 100 Washington St., is on the west bank of the Rock River next to the Route 64 bridge on the north side of the state highway. It was built in 1985 and was grandfathered in to the city’s River Front Commercial District when that district was formed in 2016.

The variance and special-use permit are needed because the fire district is planning “significant changes” to the station that would make it “nonconforming” to the River Front district.

Fire district trustees publicly announced plans two weeks ago for the $4.1 million renovation and expansion of the 40-year-old station.

Knoup said Tuesday that the expansion is needed to accommodate larger emergency vehicles, consolidate all fire apparatuses and equipment under one roof, and provide more living quarters for full-time firefighters and paramedics.

Knoup said trustees had decided that moving the fire station to a new location and rebuilding from scratch would be too costly for taxpayers, estimating that cost at $8 million to $10 million. He said the proposed expansion, which would double the size of the station, would be funded through existing capital funds combined with bonds and grants without any increase in the district’s property tax levy.

Consolidating all vehicles and apparatuses in one location would increase efficiency and decrease response times, which can make a difference in saving lives and property, Knoup said, noting that in 2024, the fire department rescued 26 people out of the river. He also said calls for service increased from 400 in 1985 to 1,200 last year, with 80% of those being ambulance calls.

“The citizens of Oregon and its tourists are our priority,” Knoup said.

In the years since the existing station was built, the district has transitioned from an all-volunteer force to a combination of paid full-time and volunteer staff, employing nine full-time members working in three shifts, with three members per shift, Knoup said.

On Jan. 21, the Oregon Planning Commission voted 4-3 not to recommend approval of the variance. Composed of volunteers appointed by the City Council, the Planning Commission makes recommendations to the council, which then decides whether to grant requests.

At that public meeting, some Planning Commission members and two neighbors living near the fire station said the station should be relocated out of the River Front Commercial District.

On Tuesday night, several people spoke in favor of allowing the fire station to expand at its current location.

“I’m totally in favor of them adding on to the building,” Judy Groharing said. “It’s centrally located.”

Kim Davis echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the station’s current location helps with response times.

“I think it is great that we have full-time fire and ambulance people that are staying there [at the fire station]. I don’t know what the plans are for the future along the river, but it’s been how many years and nothing has been developed there,” Davis said.

“I think it’s kind of petty not to give it to them,” she said, referring to the variance.

Aaron Mudge complimented fire trustees’ plan for financing the expansion.

“I think people are tax-levied out,” Mudge said. “They have a plan without raising taxes, and that should be applauded.”

Mike Long, a former fire trustee and firefighter for 35 years, said the existing station was built at its current location because of its central location, proximity to the city’s center and access to Route 64.

“There is no better location than where it is now,” Long said. “The bottom line is response time is of the utmost importance.

“We didn’t pick that area just because it was there. We picked it because that’s where it needed to be ... along the water with highway access. I think we need to give them the variance and let [fire staff] do their job. Don’t worry about tourism ... protect the people you got.”

After the meeting, fire Trustee Lora Stevens Mckee issued a statement: “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the City Council for their unanimous decision to accept the Oregon fire district department’s zoning request. This approval marks a significant step forward in enhancing the safety and well-being of our community.

“As a member of the board of trustees, we are proud to have the best team of fire professionals. I couldn’t be more proud of the team we have and the chief’s leadership. We are in this together, and we love our community.”