Commission pauses vote on proposed Fire Station 5 site, asks staff to seek extension of option-to-purchase

The Athens-Clarke County Commission voted to hold final action on an option-to-purchase for a parcel under consideration for a new Fire Station 5 and directed staff to seek an extension of the owner’s option while the commission gathers additional information.

The item prompted multiple public speakers both for and against the proposed site near Old Lexington Road. The professional firefighters’ local union said the station must be relocated to maintain adequate emergency coverage and that the union’s recent GIS analysis was intended to guide long-term planning rather than delay relocation. “Our top priority has always been and always will be serving this community and keeping it safe,” said Emily Alger, president of the Professional Firefighters of Athens-Clarke County.

Neighbors and adjacent property owners opposed the site, citing high purchase price, impacts to farmland, proximity to houses and livestock and lack of notice. Property owner Kathy Rodriguez Feo and her daughter Carly spoke against using the parcel at 4730 Old Lexington Road, saying surrounding residents had not received adequate notice and that the property’s agricultural character should be preserved.

Attorney Wendy Scribe, representing the adjacent landowner, told the commission the county’s negotiated price of about $484,000 for roughly 7.52 acres significantly exceeded the tax assessment and recent comparable sales and asked the commission to reconsider the purchase.

Commissioners asked staff for more detail about the price-setting process, the effect on surrounding property values and taxes, and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) GIS findings the union cited. Commissioner Myers asked for an updated statement from the Fire Chief about the site choice and how the selected location addresses call volume and hazard zones. Commissioner Thornton proposed a motion to hold the item and direct staff to attempt an extension of the option; commissioners also agreed that if staff could not obtain an extension the commission would treat that as a denial of the option-to-purchase.

County staff told the commission they would provide documentation showing how the offered price was assessed, seek an extension of the purchase option, and obtain a clearer explanation from the fire chief of operational reasons for the selected site. Commissioners also asked staff to reconcile the union’s GIS analysis and the county’s site-selection work and, if possible, to return with an updated assessment within one cycle.

The motion to hold, with the proviso to seek an option extension and to return with the requested material, passed on a voice vote after discussion. Commissioners stressed the need to balance public safety, fiscal stewardship and neighborhood impacts as the process continues.