Fire department lawyers, chief back change to allow stations in more districts

Brandon Freeman of the law firm Hillborn testified on behalf of the Skyland Fire Department in favor of the proposed zoning change to allow government protective services broadly in county zoning districts. Freeman asked that, if the board chose to table or continue parts of the amendment, the change allowing fire stations be carved out and approved so it could advance to the county commissioners: "Our ask would be that if you decide to continue or table some issues, that this issue be cut out and approved so it could go on to the commissioners."

Trevor Lance, identified in the transcript as "fire chief, Scott and fire rescue," described operational steps the department uses to reduce neighborhood noise — for example delaying use of emergency lighting until vehicles reach a suitable intersection — and emphasized response-time and insurance-class benefits. Lance said adding a station would "put the residents in this community into our 5 mile radius, and they can get that benefit of a class 2 fire department." Fire representatives asked the board to allow that component to move forward even if staff returns later with more detailed standards for large data centers or AI uses.

Board members acknowledged the fire-service benefit and discussed whether the government-protective-services change must be separated from other parts of the text amendment. Staff said the entire text could be voted on now, or the board could instruct staff to separate elements when they return with the permitted-use module. The board ultimately voted to find the proposed text amendment consistent and advance it to the commissioners.