District of Squamish is planning to build affordable housing on the new Tantalus Fire Hall, construction for which is scheduled to start soon after the new Valleycliffe Fire Hall is complete next year.
If the district were to build affordable housing, it would cost approximately $16.8m.
According to a site review, the fire hall requires approximately 7,000 to 8,000 square feet of gross floor area.
According to a report that was presented to council recently, staff says there is enough space to expand on the land, and into the air, to accommodate two to four stories of affordable apartments.
District staff is recommending the construction budget be increased by $939,000 to allow for the possibility of adding affordable housing to the Tantalus Fire Hall site
“The cost to bulk the ground floor structure only for multiple stories above the Fire Hall spine section only (not apparatus bay) is approximately $939,000, per order of magnitude square foot rates from quantity surveyor and builder,” the report notes.
District staff recognize that when constructing new facilities, affordable or market housing should be explored, including supporting project costs, where possible.
However, the design of the firehall must allow for a distinct separation between the Fire Hall and residential living, which is possible here, staff says.
There will be separate site entrances, and there will be separate parking including as required during emergency responses.
Although there could be space for a daycare, staff is not recommending it on this site.
Norm says
This is a bad idea. Firehall’s are industrial sites that have 24/7 noise. Also, as Squamish grows this Firehall will need to be staffed with a proper full time fire department and mixing this sort of use with residential isn’t wise.