Conditional Approval for Ruston Way Fire Station

The Ruston Way fire station is a go (probably). That’s the word from the state land use administrator who reviewed the City’s application for improvements to the aging waterfront fire station. The City’s request for a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area Development Permit was approved, subject to some conditions.

The main question at hand was whether the requested use was consistent with State and City rules governing waterfront development. The state administrator decided that it was, with some stipulations. All lighting will be required to be aimed away from nearby homes, and minor landscaping adjustments are needed meet City code requirements. Marine training activities will take place away from moorage, and any vehicles leaving the station will use lights and sirens only when necessary. Firefighters will not be stationed at the location now, but may be in the future.

The City will now need to negotiate a lease with the State Department of Natural Resources for the portion of the project that extends over the water. Once construction begins, any in-water work will need to be conducted within a WDFW-approved “fish-window,” and mitigation for potential loss of wildlife habitat will need to be completed within one year of the impacts they are mitigating. According to the report, construction “shall commence” within two years of the effective date of the permit, and must be completed within five years of that permit date.

Those who disagree with the decision will have the opportunity to appeal to the City hearings examiner until June 18.

Read more from Peter Callaghan over at The News Tribune.

Read the report and decision here (pdf).