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Oxnard moves forward on replacement designs for Fire Stations 2 and 3
Summary
The Planning Commission recommended CEQA MND adoption and approved planning and zoning permits for two replacement fire stations — a roughly 11,750‑sq ft Station 3 (150 Hill St.) and a roughly 12,585‑sq ft Station 2 (531 E. Pleasant Valley Rd.) — citing improved response capacity, modern seismic and safety standards, and mitigation measures; approvals advance project resolutions to City Council.
The Oxnard Planning Commission on April 2 advanced the city's plans to replace two aging fire stations, approving staff recommendations to adopt final initial studies/mitigated negative declarations and forwarding planning and zoning permits for Fire Station No. 3 (150 Hill Street) and Fire Station No. 2 (531 East Pleasant Valley Road).
Contract planner Layla Carver summarized entitlement requests for Station 3 — including a special use permit, a zone change, a general plan amendment and a zone text amendment — and noted the zone text change would apply citywide to properties in the community reserve (CR) zone but that any approval to exceed lot coverage would remain site‑specific. The proposed Station 3 would be about 11,750 square feet on a 0.66‑acre parcel; staff said the project includes an adopted mitigation monitoring and reporting program prepared under CEQA (Final IS/MND No. 25‑03).
Fire Chief Alex Hamilton described the operational need to replace a station built in 1954 that currently has only two apparatus bays and limited sleeping and decontamination space. "We're aiming to build a fire station that can serve the city for the next 75 years," Hamilton said, citing cramped quarters, electrical limitations for modern apparatus and the need to separate living quarters from 'dirty' apparatus areas for firefighter health and safety.
Jeff Katz of Core Design Group reviewed designs that separate 'dirty' and 'clean' zones, provide individual bunk rooms, and include secure site elements such as a generator and gated apparatus access. The design for Station 3 includes infrastructure to accommodate future photovoltaics, and the generator will be diesel with fuel capacity to meet a 72‑hour runtime requirement for essential service facilities, the team said.
Chief Hamilton also presented Fire Station 2 plans: a new two‑story, roughly 12,585‑sq ft station with three apparatus bays, upgraded living and decontamination spaces, and space for charging future electric fire apparatus. The team said the city will relocate an existing community garden now on the Station 2 site and that construction timing depends on available funding; the city is exploring bonding and other capital planning options.
Commissioners pressed staff and the design team on response‑coverage effects, maneuverability for engines on narrow residential streets, temporary facilities during construction and timeline expectations. Chief Hamilton said a temporary station is planned on city‑owned property at Channel Islands and Saviers to maintain coverage while construction occurs; designers said two of three bays would be pull‑through with one bay configured for tandem or backing maneuvers when necessary.
After discussion highlighting operational capacity gains, seismic and life‑safety improvements and mitigation measures in the MNDs, commissioners approved staff recommendations. Commissioner Nash moved to approve the Station 3 items (adopt IS/MND No. 25‑03 and associated permits); Commissioner Freer seconded, and a unanimous roll call carried the motion. For Station 2, Vice Chair Dr. Stewart moved and Commissioner Nash seconded adoption of IS/MND No. 25‑02 and approval of the planning permit; that motion also passed unanimously.
Both approvals forward the projects and adopted mitigation monitoring and reporting programs; final timing for construction will depend on capital funding decisions and sequencing by the city.
