Neighbor voices safety concerns about proposed Cedar–Dodd fire station

A Lakeville resident told the council on Jan. 21 he is concerned the proposed Cedar–Dodd fire station location could create traffic-safety and public-safety risks and asked the city to provide historical call data for nearby stations.

"My name, name's Steve Burke, and I, came this evening to, raise some questions or concerns around the, Cedar Dodd Fire Station proposal," the resident said during the public-comment period. He identified himself as a neighbor across from Cherry View Park and said he has lived in the area nearly 30 years.

Burke said he reviewed recordings of prior meetings and neighborhood discussion and believes the proposed site may have limited sight lines and speed-related hazards on nearby approaches including Ninth Street. He said the location’s proximity to a park used by small children is a concern and asked whether other city-owned parcels near the maintenance or treatment facility would better accommodate a station. "I do feel like you'll end up losing more lives," he said, citing a prior youth fatality in the neighborhood and expressing worry about response calls to the south.

Burke asked the council to publish a three- to five-year history of calls for the facilities that would be affected by the change — specifically stations 2 and 4, which he said are proposed to be closed — so neighbors can understand call rates. He also suggested the city consider additional evergreen buffering to reduce noise for nearby homes.

Mayor and staff offered to follow up. The mayor asked Burke to leave contact information with the clerk and said staff would follow up after the meeting. The council did not take action on the subject during the Jan. 21 meeting; Burke spoke during the public-comment portion rather than during a formal agenda item.

Ending: Staff offered to follow up with the resident and to provide contact information; the council did not act on the station location at the Jan. 21 meeting.