Forest fire department scopes new site for station

By Justin Faulconer

Published: March 31, 2008

In its 50th year, the Forest Volunteer Fire Department still intends to build a new station but no longer is considering county-owned land behind the library.

Company 5 wants to build an 18,240-square-foot station on a 5-acre tract on Thomas Jefferson Road less than a mile from U.S. 221, next to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.

“We think this location is a better location,” said Fire Chief Monty Coleman. “The site is bigger … it’s going to give us more room. We’re actually very excited about it.”

Since early last year, plans have been under way for the station to expand. Its current home on Burnbridge Road is 50 years old.

The department was pursuing a cheaper option for the land behind the library, but County Administrator Kathleen Guzi said some concerns from neighbors arose over its location in such a congested area near U.S. 221.

The county was weighing options when the new spot opened up, she said.

Coleman said that he and other firefighters came across the property earlier this month on the way home from a funeral and hurried to indicate interest. They worked toward a purchase agreement for $333,000 with the landowner through Lynchburg-based Counts Realty and Auction a few weeks ago, he said.

There is a time limit on the agreement, which expires in mid-May, Coleman said.

The Bedford County Planning Commission is reviewing the project’s application and will take up the matter next week to recommend action to the Board of Supervisors.

George Nester, director of community development, said in a memo to the planning commission that the fire
company has seen a substantial jump in calls.

“Call volumes increased by 35 percent since 2000,” Nester wrote. “This trend is expected to continue with increases in residential, commercial and industrial development.”

A subdivision plat that would separate the land from 51 acres of surrounding property needs approval, Nester stated. Public water from the county’s public service authority would serve the property, along with a private septic system.

The land is zoned R-1 and R-2 (residential), which makes a public use facility a by-right use.

The plan locates the company across the road from Jefferson Villas, a developing residential community, and next to Thomas Jefferson Elementary. Several churches also are within 2,000 feet of the new facility.

Coleman said the department still has to raise a lot of money, but it is ecstatic about this new opportunity.

“We look forward to busting this thing wide open,” he said. “We’ll be there for 50 years.”

Forest District Supervisor John Sharp said he hopes the community rallies around the department in its building effort because of the time and money it has made in protecting the area.

“I’m definitely in support of whatever we can do,” said Sharp. “I definitely want to be there for them … we get a tremendous service from these people.”