As a regional provider of fire protection and emergency medical services, Fire Station 68 plays a critical part in protecting not only the local neighborhood, but the northwest corner of TVF&R’s service area.  Building a cost-effective and efficient fire station will serve the citizens of this region for decades to come.

Station 68 is being built in tandem with Station 65 in the West Slope area. Using the same design for both stations offers a cost-savings to taxpayers and will expedite the construction process.  The current plan calls for a 10,111 square foot, single-story building, with two drive-through apparatus bays. The station will have a community room available for non-profit organizations to use free-of-charge.

Progress Updates

We would like to thank the citizens who continue to call and email our office expressing their support for this project.  Fire Station 68 plays a critical part in protecting not only the immediate neighborhood, but the northwest corner of TVF&R’s service area.  Individuals interested in expressing their support may send a letter to the
Washington County Board of Commissioners or contact TVF&R Public Affairs Officer Cassandra Ulven at 503-259-1513.

January 2012

TVF&R’s land use application continues to be temporarily on-hold following an Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) ruling. Although Washington County approved TVF&R’s land-use application last summer, LUBA ruled to remand the case back to Washington County for potential code amendment. The two code issues in question center on whether this station fits the definition of a ‘satellite station' and traffic count for that site. In addition to pursuing a code amendment, the District also plans to appeal LUBA’s decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals.

Status of Code Amendment: The County Commissioners ultimately decide which issues get reviewed at their 2012 Land Use Ordinance Season beginning in March. Indications are that TVF&R’s code amendment will be included in the County's 2012 session.
Status of Oregon Court of Appeals: The District has filed our case with the Court of Appeals and expects to receive a decision in late April.

November 2011

Last summer, Washington County approved Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s land-use application to rebuild Fire Station 68 at 13545 NW Evergreen Street. County staff and the Hearings Officer based their approval on comprehensive analysis and review. However, the decision was appealed to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) by an individual who disagreed with Washington County's code interpretation.

LUBA had the authority to make one of three rulings: approve, reverse, or remand the case back to the Washington County Hearings Officer. LUBA ruled to remand the case back to Washington County for potential code amendment. In simple terms, a Washington County Hearings Officer approved the Land Use Application and LUBA did not agree with their interpretation of the code. Some work needs to be done to clarify the code for the purposes of this project. Until that work is complete, our application is on hold and further work at the site must cease.

The District sees a code amendment as a critical step in helping guide future land use decisions, not only as it relates to its own fire station construction, but also other public buildings that serve the community like libraries and police stations. In addition to pursuing a code amendment, the District also plans to appeal to the Oregon Court of Appeals. A code amendment and appeal are expected to take at least six months.

Until Washington County reinstates its approval for construction, work at the site may not be undertaken. In the past month, the District had removed an existing home from the property and began some grading and excavating work. The site will be secured until a land use decision is rendered.

September 2011

With strong support and approval from Washington County, TVF&R is now working to take advantage of cost-savings by coupling construction activities with
Fire Station 65 being rebuilt in West Slope.  Over the next couple months, we will begin getting the property ready for construction.  This will include removing the existing building; installing underground utilities including storm drains, building and site electrical, and plumbing; and grading and preparing the ground for the foundation, driveway, curbs, and footings.  The site will then be winterized from November through February, with construction expected to resume in the spring.

It is our understanding that a small number of neighbors have filed an appeal with the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA).  Unless reversed by LUBA, the Washington County Land Use approval for our fire station stands.  A ruling may take up to six months.  TVF&R appreciates that the land-use process ensures that decisions are fair and reasonable, and is an important means for citizens to be heard.  Concerns expressed by the citizens who filed the appeal are centered on noise and property values.  Outreach efforts have been ongoing since the project’s inception in 2010 and our goal is to continue to provide factual information on the reality of living near a fire station.  With over half of our 21 fire stations located in neighborhoods, TVF&R has a longstanding history of being a good neighbor. See our video: Living Next to a Neighborhood Fire Station.

July / August 2011

Following the required land use process, Washington County approved TVF&R’s Land Use Development Application. The process included strong support by the Washington County Planning Department and Hearings Officer.

Using the same contractor and building in tandem with Station 65, is expected to save the taxpayers at least $80,000. The District hopes to begin site development work in September/early October.

May 2011

The exterior design and floor plans for the new station have been finalized and TVF&R has submitted its Development Application to Washington County for review.

February 2011

TVF&R officials attended a CPO 7 meeting to discuss the re-location of the station and answer questions. A Coffee Chat was held at Station 68 on February 20th. The event provided an opportunity to update the community on the current status of the new station and furnish safety tips on heart attacks and CPR.

A Land Use Application Public Hearing is scheduled for April 21st (time TBD).

October 2010

A Community Meeting was held at Findley Elementary School. With over 100 people in attendance, the event was a great opportunity to discuss why the station is being rebuilt and relocated.  Many of the questions centered on how fire stations integrate into a neighborhood setting.

Neighborhood Meeting Presentation
(Includes maps and exterior design options)

Funding for Fire Station 68

The rebuild of Station 68 was identified in TVF&R’s 2006 Bond Measure 34-133. The projects funded by this bond are occurring throughout TVF&R’s entire 210 square mile service area and are expected to improve and maintain emergency response for the next 50 years. The bond measure was supported by 68.6% of voters and costs the average taxpayer approximately $29/year. Station 68 will be built in tandem with Fire Station 65 being rebuilt in the Oak Hills/Bethany area. Using the same design for both stations offers a significant cost-savings to taxpayers and will expedite the construction process.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this project.