Hearing examiner approves conditional use permit for Station 51 rebuild in Gig Harbor

Hearing Examiner Mark Schipmeyer on the record approved a conditional use permit allowing Pierce County Fire Protection District 5 to demolish and rebuild Fire Station 51 at 6711 Kimball Drive in Gig Harbor.

The decision follows a staff recommendation to grant the permit with conditions and clears a key land-use step for the district to replace the existing 1979 station with an approximately 22,000-square-foot, two-story facility. The examiner said he would prepare written findings of fact and conclusions and circulate the decision within a few days.

City staff summarized the project during the public hearing. Mr. Hammer, city staff, told the examiner the proposal is consistent with the city’s definition of public and private services in the municipal code and noted the use has existed on the site since the original building was constructed in 1979. He said the proposed new building would be located almost entirely in the property’s B-2 (general business) zoned portion while the site abuts R-3 (multi-family) zoning. “The new construction would be an approximately…