No alarms were sounded for the Western Salisbury Fire Company new firehouse project.

The razing of the existing Swain Station, 950 S. Ott St. and the construction of a new facility, was granted an appeal as a special exception by a vote of 5-0 at the April 13 Salisbury Township Zoning Hearing Board.

No objectors to the Swain project attended the 3 1/2 hour zoners’ hearing, with fire company discussion, deliberation and ruling lasting approximately one hour. The property is in the R2, Low Density Residential zoning district.

Consideration of the Swain Station project is expected to be on the agenda of the Salisbury Township Planning Commission, 7 p.m. April 27 in the meeting room of the municipal building, 2900 S. Pike Ave.

“This is an existing fire station that had been approved, probably in 2015,” Attorney Richard B. Somach, of Norris McLaughlin P.A. Attorneys At Law, said, representing Western.

Also attending was Western Salisbury Fire Department Fire Chief Joshua Wells, who has been the Western fire chief for 10 years. Western has 30 volunteers age 15-78.

There is no cost estimate or groundbreaking date for the Swain project. It’s hoped construction can begin in March 2023 for the prefabricated structure with completion in October 2023. In the interim, Western will run out of the Eisenhower Station to respond to calls.

“We’re hoping that we can start construction in March 2023,” Wells said.

“We’re hoping for a seven- to eight-month construction timetable,” Wells said.

“There’s a six to 10 month delivery time for the metal building,” Wells said.

“As you all know, with the supply chain and costs increasing, you know what we’re dealing with,” Wells said.

“Eisenhower Station will fill in as the station. Eisenhower must be retrofitted for fire engines accommodation,” Wells added.

The timeline for the existing Swain Station, outlined by Wells at the hearing, includes: 1970, Swain School donated land; 1972, station built; 1995, addition; 2015, remodeling, land donation, parking added; 2020, Green Acres Park project site; June 2020, township pulls Green Acres site.

“It’s in our best interest to demolish the building and start over and move ahead for the future,” Wells said.

“We can’t even use one whole side of the building because of the mold,” Wells said.

“It was decided that the best course was to raze the building and start anew,” Somach said.

The new two-story structure on the site’s 0.283 of an acre is to have four bays across the building’s front side rather than the existing three-bays structure with one bay on the site.

The new facility will include offices for crew meetings and two bathrooms. The existing structure has one bathroom.

“Impervious cover will not change dramatically because it will be built on the existing parking lot,” Wells said.

During the testimony, major points were considered from a Feb. 13 engineering review letter by David J. Tettemer of Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc. and an April 13 review letter by Salisbury Township Planning and Zoning Officer Kerry H. Rabold.

“Once you tear down a building, nothing applies,” Rabold reasoned.

To which, Somach replied, “In 2015, some of these same variances were granted.”

Observed Zoning Hearing Board Chairman Attorney Kent Herman, “The use is the same. The use is driven by staffing and demands.”

“The first thing we’re asking for is a special exception because we’ve been there for 50 years,” Somach said.

Concerning the appeal of the parking lot illumination (one foot-candle required; less than one foot-candle proposed, Somach said, “The rationale doesn’t make sense. If we increase the illumination, it will affect the neighborhood.”

“We don’t fit into the commercial use. It’s not every day that somebody’s building a fire company,” Somach added.

“I was concerned about construction and debris,” Zoner Nicole Ortiz said.

“All things would be mitigated as best as possible. The building is Hollywood block and there is no asbestos,” Wells said, adding, “It will take two to three weeks to demolish.

“There shouldn‘t be any more excavation. There will not be a basement. The only excavation will be for the footprint,” Wells said.

“Will you need any temporary structures for your trucks?” Rabold asked.

“We’re still in the planning stages,” Somach replied.

“We would want to protect the asset because the township paid a lot of money for it,” Wells said.

In the 5-0 voting, zoners approved:

- Appeal of Western Salisbury Volunteer Fire Company, 950 S. Ott St., for a special exception to raze the existing structure and construct a new 7,511-square-feet firehouse. The applicant also seeks a favorable interpretation regarding the reconstruction of an existing nonconforming structure.

Zoners stipulated parking for firefighters would be designated and the tree planting plan would be determined.

Should temporary structures be needed to house equipment, zoners decided the structures must be removed 90 days after a certificate of occupancy is received for the new firehouse.