The joint Planning Commission and Village Board voted Aug. 14 to move forward with siting the new Department of Public Works (DPW) building on higher ground north of the existing garage and to expand the previously approved design by adding two additional bays (creating a seven-bay structure) with 16-foot garage doors. The motion directed staff to ask the project designer to redraw plans to reflect the new location and increased bay count and to address stormwater, grading and accessibility concerns raised in field review.
Background: Village staff and the Fishers design team presented several conceptual options for combining a remodeled fire station and a new DPW building on the village campus. Staff said earlier plans placed the DPW structure immediately north of the existing garage, but subsequent fire-station concepts expanded into the existing north asphalt area and could constrain salt-truck movements and storage. Staff recommended evaluating placing the DPW building on higher ground to the northwest to avoid recurring water intrusion and to create a more compact, coordinated campus.
Key points from discussion:
- Commissioners and trustees emphasized stormwater and grade concerns: several members noted water drains from the existing site toward the lower garage, contributing to past water intrusion and standing water in the older storage buildings.
- Trustees favored building on higher ground to reduce water intrusion risk and to create a more organized campus footprint. Multiple board members said adding bays now was preferable to tearing down buildings and later finding the new garage too small.
- The motion included a technical preference for 16-foot-wide overhead doors and for a seven-bay layout to accommodate current and potential future equipment (skidsteers, squad car, trucks) and storage needs.
Action: The board’s motion to adopt the higher-ground site and expand the bay count passed unanimously. Staff will contact the Fishers to see if they will perform the redraws at no additional cost and will engage a cost consultant if redesign fees apply.
Why it matters: The decision changes the previously approved DPW bid-ready design by altering the building footprint, height considerations and stormwater/grade engineering. It could affect project cost and bidding timeline.
Next steps: Staff will ask the design team to prepare revised plans and a cost estimate; if the designer requires additional compensation, the village will address fees at a subsequent meeting. Staff flagged that changes to firewall configuration, HVAC and other engineering specifications may be required and that state approvals could be needed if code waivers are sought for fire wall removal or other changes.