Before deciding on the location at 36 Old Quarry Road, many other sites and building combinations were considered, and ultimately ruled out for various reasons. Below are the six locations that made it to the final round, with a summary of pros and cons for each.
Existing Police Station Site
76 East Ridge Road
Summary
The cost to renovate the existing building, acquire additional property, and temporarily relocate the Police Department, favor moving Police to another location. In addition, there are potential savings by re-purposing or selling the property.
Lot Size/Buildable Area
The size and topography limits the buildable area, and additional property will be required to address parking and circulation.
Regulatory/ Environmental
Falls in the typical zoning regulations. There are no environmental concerns with the site; However, typical renovation hazmat should be expected.
Police & Fire Dept. Staff Support
Police support as existing locations. Existing garage is seen as a value.
Perceived Public Support
Existing location. Expansion would be anticipated to attract adjacent residential opposition.
Added Cost Considerations
In addition to the renovation costs of the existing structure, there would be costs related to the purchase and demo of additional property. The Police Department would need to be temporarily relocation with added costs, and there would be loss of tax revenue from the acquire property.
Cost Savings Considerations
Existing cell antenna rev. Sale/repurposing of this property has value.
Existing Fire Station Site
6 Catoonah Street
Summary
This 0.3 acre site is no longer viable as a Fire Headquarters. Multiple additional lots would need to be acquired & a large building constructed at great cost to the character of the historic downtown, local businesses, & taxpayers
Lot Size/Buildable Area
0.3 acre site is severely undersized. Purchase of multiple surrounding lots required to meet needs is not seen as viable from cost or planning perspective.
Regulatory/ Environmental
Existing non-conforming lot & building setbacks. Typical renovation hazmat remediation should be expected.
Police & Fire Dept. Staff Support
Fire Dept. has stated need for more room & more parking
Perceived Public Support
Historic location. Expansion would be anticipated to attract significant opposition due to effects on historic downtown & businesses
Added Cost Considerations
Additional property acquisition. Adjacent building demo. Temp. relocation costs. Impacts to adj. businesses. Duplicate Fire/Police program. Loss of tax rev. for acquire properties
Cost Savings Considerations
Sale/repurposing of this property has significant value. If it becomes private; added tax rev
Danbury Road Site
Copps Hill Road
Summary
Though technically viable as a Fire Headquarters only, costs for property acquisition, building demo & earthwork, as well as concerns with emergency access through the adjacent intersections make this site less than desirable.
Lot Size/Buildable Area
Large lot is restricted by regulated areas. Large enough for only a Fire Headquarters.
Regulatory/ Environmental
Wetlands/setbacks limit buildable area. Wetland approvals required. Typical zoning restrictions. Typical demo hazmat remediation should be expected.
Police & Fire Dept. Staff Support
Fire Dept. has expressed concerns with responding through adjacent intersection
Perceived Public Support
Costly for limited use. Less costly options perceived as available. Little surrounding opposition expected
Added Cost Considerations
Multiple owners & property acquisition costs. Existing bldg. demo costs. Fill/earthwork costs. Duplicate Fire/Police program. Loss of property tax rev
Cost Savings Considerations
Sale/reuse of existing Fire Dept
Prospect Ridge Road Site
Dinez Field
Summary
Currently owned by Town, this site is currently wooded open space. Location would not be visible from road & costs will be high to accommodate topography & utilities in the area. Surrounds roads are narrow & winding & not desirable from an emergency response perspective.
Lot Size/Buildable Area
Large, forested lot is currently a park. Topography would require large areas of clearing & deep excavations & fills (up to 25’). Presence of rock has not been confirmed.
Regulatory/ Environmental
Typical zoning restrictions. Strong public opposition anticipated due to clearing existing park land. No hazmat remediation anticipated.
Police & Fire Dept. Staff Support
Fire has expressed concerns responding over narrow & winding roads from this location.
Perceived Public Support
Development would clear & remove an existing forest, park, and heavily used soccer field. Significant adjacent residential opposition expected.
Added Cost Considerations
Excavation/earthwork costs. Costs for improvements to surrounding streets.
Cost Savings Considerations
Zero property acquisition costs. Sale/reuse of existing Fire Dept. Sale/reuse of existing Police Dept. Combined Fire/Police saves duplicate uses/admin.
Veterans Elementary Site
Governor Street
Summary
Though viable from an area & technical perspective, the site is currently an elementary school adjacent to the historic downtown. Construction of large building in this area, as well as emergency vehicles responding through the historic center & the adjacent Lounsbury house could negatively affect the character of downtown.
Lot Size/Buildable Area
Existing developed lot is appropriately sized & has areas of building & parking.
Regulatory/ Environmental
Typical zoning restrictions. Public opposition anticipated due to proximity to downtown, Veterans Park Fields, & Lounsbury House. Typical demo hazmat should be expected.
Police & Fire Dept. Staff Support
Fire has expressed concerns responding through center of town to north from this locations.
Perceived Public Support
Development would affect historic downtown, businesses & Lounsbury house, and would displace an elementary school.
Added Cost Considerations
Building demo costs.
Cost Savings Considerations
Minimal property (transfer?) cost. Sale/reuse of existing Fire Dept.
Sale/reuse of existing Police Dept
Danbury Road Site
Route 35
Lot Size/Buildable Area
Little room for expansion.
Regulatory/ Environmental
Extensive work within wetland buffer area – permit required. Residentially zoned – requires zone change and/or variances. Egress onto state road needs to be managed
Police & Fire Dept. Staff Support
Possible traffic control costs.
Perceived Public Support
Highly visible from the road.
Added Cost Considerations
Costs for building demo and property acquisition.