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Council rejects first reading of plan to build new fire station inside Jimmy Moore Park after extended public opposition
Summary
Melbourne City Council on July 8 rejected, at first reading, a land-use change and site plan to build a new fire station and small training tower on a 2.67-acre portion of Jimmy Moore Park after more than an hour of public comment and a contested roll-call vote.
Melbourne City Council on July 8 rejected, on a first-reading motion, a proposal to change the future land-use designation and approve a site plan for a new fire station on the eastern end of Jimmy Moore Park.
The vote came after more than an hour of testimony from residents who said the 18,000-square-foot building, accompanying parking and a 40-foot training tower would remove playground and picnic areas, require an eight-foot masonry wall and worsen flooding for nearby homes. Fire Chief Chuck Bovofar and the project architect said the site meets operational needs and includes buffers and design elements intended to limit impacts.
The council heard detailed presentations from the city planning staff and the city fire chief, and dozens of residents spoke during public comment. Opponents said the plan would take roughly 40 percent of the park's open grass areas, kill mature trees, and reduce a unique nearby community play space used for little…
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