IN Fire Station Zoning Issues Resolved

Sept. 11 -- Zoning issues that delayed the opening of a temporary fire station in northern Monroe County for a month have been resolved.

Northern Monroe Fire Chief Joel Bomgardner said it would be about a week before firefighters occupy the station around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Monroe County Board of Zoning Appeals on Monday unanimously approved a variance request from the Northern Monroe Fire Territory to open a second fire station in Washington Township. The temporary station will be on the Poynter Sheet Metal property at 8768 N Wayport Road and will include a manufactured home for firefighters on the site along with other fire equipment and vehicles.

Larry Wilson, county planning director, said the fire department has been granted two years at the property. If the fire department wants to remain at the site longer an extension would need to be granted by the zoning appeals board. Under county code, fire stations are only allowed in areas zoned for governmental facilities.

Northern Monroe firefighters have been out at the temporary station during the day for maintenance checks on vehicles but were delayed in becoming fully operational because of the zoning snag. The fire department learned last month it had to apply for a county variance to allow two full-time firefighters to stay overnight at the site.

Northern Monroe Fire Territory, which was created in 2016, serves Washington Township and the unincorporated areas of Bloomington Township.

There is a fire station in Bloomington Township along Old Ind. 37, and the goal is to bring a permanent station to Washington Township.

While fire officials hoped to begin construction of a permanent fire station on donated property near the Simpson Chapel Road and West Williams Road intersection, those plans are currently on hold. In the interim, Bloomington Township Trustee Lillian Henegar said fire officials wanted operations, even if temporary, within Washington Township to provide better service to the rural area.

Bomgardner said firefighters have already made runs from the temporary station and are pleased with how fast they can get to an emergency. For example, Bomgardner said firefighters responded recently to an emergency medical call two miles away from the temporary station. Bomgardner said the crews were able to be there within two minutes.

“The taxpayers and residents of Washington Township have been contributing closer to their fair share for service and we feel we need to honor that,” Henegar said.

Fire department officials signed a 12-month lease with the property owner at Poynter Sheet Metal and after that have the option to renew on a monthly basis.

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