June 9, 1989

Fire department not enemy in zoning rift

       The enemy isn’t the fire department. And it’s time White River Township residents and the Johnson County Board of Zoning Appeals fight the real enemy- inadequate emergency protection. A proposal for, a new fire station in White River Township, was denied Tuesday night by the Board of Zoning Appeals. The proposal included plans to buy the 33.3-acre Schreckengast farm west of the railroad tracks on Fairview Road. The new station would serve the northern part of the 17 square mile fire district. Since the application for special exemption to allow building of the fire station was first made on Feb. 28, township emergency workers and residents have battled one another. Tuesday’s BZA decision was met by the applause of about 80 residents who showed up to oppose the proposal. Remonstrators argued the location was not a good one because of its close proximity to schools, the narrowness of Fairview Road, and the detrimental effect they say it would have on property values. Fire department officials, however, strongly support the proposed location since 55 percent of the emergency calls come from north of Smith Valley Road. Fire Chief Howard Bennis said the fire department’s board of directors is considering its next course of action, which could mean appealing the decision or invoking the power of eminent domain. Even BZA’s own planning staff recommended that the special exception be granted yet the five board appointees defeated the proposal without comment. The remonstrators may have won the battle, but the entire township may have lost the war. There’s no more fire protection today then there was Monday, and inadequate emergency protection jeopardizes property and lives. Whether the proposed site is re-examined or a new site is supported, residents and fire officials must unite their efforts and agree on a solution. No one has attacked the real enemy.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
 

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