2019-201 Ordinance Amending B-3 Planned Shopping Center District 1401 West King Street

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Page 2 of 3 1401 West King Street November 7, 2019 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The subject petition requests that the B-3 District be amended to allow for the construction of a Fire Station as an outbuilding on the Shopping Center property in the B-3 District. The purpose is to replace the existing Fire Station# 3 which was built in 1927 and has a total square footage of 2,800. It is located at the northwest corner of West Eldorado Street and North Fairview Avenue. The proposed fire station will be in the northeast portion of the development along North Fairview Avenue approximately where the previous fuel station was located. The Fire Department selected the proposed location based on previous studies and because it would meet their current need to provide better coverage to the western areas of Decatur. The proposed 2-bay, one-story building has a first-floor area of approximately 7,710 square feet with no basement. There will be a total of 4 persons stationed at this location. A total of 14 parking spaces will be provided on site including a handicap space. There will also be a reciprocal parking agreement between the main lot (proposed Lot 1) and the fire station lot (proposed Lot 2). In the near future, the property will be subdivided, so that the fire station will be on its own lot. Access to the station will be from a right-in/right-out curb-cut off North Fairview Avenue. Fire trucks will return to the station off King Street. The City is currently discussing the possibility of allowing left turns off Fairview Avenue with IDOT. There will be a shared driveway access easement between the proposed fire station and the owners of Fairview Plaza. Landscaping will also be provided on the site in accordance to the Zoning Ordinance. STAFF ANALYSIS The proposed amendment to the B-3 is consistent with the character of the surrounding neighborhood and general area. The shopping center has been located in the area since the late 1950s and does not appear to have had an adverse effect on the neighborhood or general area. The proposal is consistent with the intent of the originally approved B-3 Plan. The proposed use is generally compatible with the surrounding area and the proposed fire station will provide a fire protection service for area residents and businesses in the western part of the community. The proposed fire station is located within a mixed-use B-3 Planned Shopping Center District and should have no adverse effect on the general area or the City as a whole. The B-3 plan has been reviewed by the City's Technical Review Committee, with Planning and Sustainability Division, Engineering Division, and Fire Inspection Division have all approved the proposed fire station site plan. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the B-3 amendment for construction of a fire station with the following condition: