Commission approves new Fire Station 24 building

The existing fire station is located in the ‘Village Center’ (see Urban Land Institute, “Mission Viejo Village Center”, April 2007, a report commissioned by the City of Mission Viejo). The ‘Village Center’ is located along Marguerite Parkway from Oso Parkway north to via Florecer and exists in the newly created 2nd District.
This is a ‘ground up’ new fire station on an old site. As proposed it flips the ground floor (the proposed facility is two stories where a one story facility exits) with four bays on the north end of the building as opposed to the two bays on the south end thereby placing the living and education functions on the south end. The Orange County Fire Authority has undoubtedly performed their due diligence anticipating a future need for an upgraded facility in this area of the City housing upgraded equipment.
The question(s) that should arise in the minds of residential and commercial property owners in the ‘Village Center’ (Districts 2 and 4) is what significant changes are anticipated in this area that requires this new facility?
As regards the Planning and Transportation Commission meeting on 10 October 22 and the proposed fire station (agenda item 4.); how does the siting and massing of this structure and the choice of building materials conform to the ‘Village Center’ concept?
When two of the Commissioner’s representing the Commission on the Design Review Committee comment that the sketches of the front elevation of the fire station make it appear indistinguishable , is that a positive for a fire station?
This is a public building. Should it conform to an Andalusian influence a la Alhambra or the public architecture of Granada, Spain, or more closely align with Leason Pomeroy’s (LPA Architects) iconic Civic Center structure that inhabits the corner the southwest corner of Marguerite and La Paz?
Should public architecture distinguish itself from future commercial and/or residential architecture (who was responsible for the multi-story office structure opposite the Civic Center? It is not an annex to the Civic Center although it appears to want to be with the inclusion of ledger stone, color and a bit of token metal over the entry.)..
With an approval of this new fire station and the proposals for improvements to the Stein Mart property acquisition, the City Administration is making an incremental incursion into what the ‘Village Center’ will look like.
The City should be required to take the money it is investing in the development of the Stein Mart property and instead invest it in a Specific Plan that encompasses the totality of the ‘Village Center’.
The City should also be precluded from involvement in what is a private commercial operation. Demolish the existing structures and develop the ground plane thereby creating an opening to Oso Creek and hold the property for future development by a private investor.
Patience. This will take years.

Please continue Spain design with the stone ledger. The buildings on Marguerite and RSM parkway do not represent that look. Yes the new grays and blacks are nice but not culturally designed.

To Whom it May Concern,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding a recent development project in our community. The demolition of the Orange County Fire Authority Station 24 building, approved by the Planning and Transportation Commission on October 10, has caused a significant issue on my property. This issue pertains to the sudden and substantial increase in the rat population in our neighborhood since the demolition commenced.

I reside on Pacific Terrace Drive, directly behind the demolition site at 25862 Marguerite. Since the initiation of the demolition project, we have noticed a substantial and concerning uptick in the number of rats in our neighborhood. These rodents have been causing damage to our property and have raised health and safety concerns.

I understand the necessity of the new fire station project and its importance to our community's safety. However, the unintended consequences, such as the rat influx. The increased rat population is a nuisance, posing health risks to residents and the potential to damage our properties, we had one of our floorboards chewed up, and they have chewed their way into a duct. As a homeowner, I am deeply concerned about the potential structural damage these pests can cause.

I kindly request that the City of Mission Viejo and the responsible authorities please support our community and take immediate action to address this issue. I propose implementing measures to control and mitigate the rat problem, including increased pest control efforts, regular inspections of the construction site and nearby properties, and community outreach to educate residents on proper rat prevention and management.

Our community's well-being and safety are paramount, and I believe that with your intervention, we can solve this problem. I appreciate your attention to this matter and your dedication to ensuring our neighborhood remains a safe and pleasant place to live.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Resident

Will additional firemen be hired

Thank you for your comment on the News page and informing the City about the rats you've noticed in your neighborhood. The initial clearing of vegetation which typically harbors wildlife -- including rodents -- is complete and City staff will communicate with the OCFA and contractor to make sure that appropriate maintenance efforts for rodents are practiced.

Thank you for your comment on the News page and interest in the new Station 24. The City doesn't have information at present as to whether the OCFA will be hiring additional firefighters in Orange County, but you may find more info about OCFA hiring opportunities by calling 714-573-6800 or visiting the following link:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ocfa