Estero residents voice concerns over fire station expansion plans

ESTERO, Fla. - Neighbors in Estero are raising concerns after the fire department announced plans to expand its station into a quiet, wooded area. The proposal includes adding a storage building, extra parking, and a small addition, which residents fear could alter the character of their neighborhood.

Lauren Willison, a local resident, expressed her attachment to the peacefulness of the area.

"There's nothing like this in this area anymore," said Willison.

Willison emphasized the unique tranquility of her property.

"You hear the birds chirping and you see the quiet and the peacefulness of this area, you just feel like you have to be here. This is it's home for me, and I love it, and I don't want it turned into a parking lot," said Willison.

The Village of Estero posted a public notice sign in front of her mailbox, signaling the possible changes.

Estero Fire's expansion plan aims to protect equipment during hurricanes, according to Chief Scott Vanderbrook.

"We have a lot of apparatus. Outside during hurricanes, we had to close station 41 and 42 at Coconut POint by the river, and over $5 million of apparatus set outside in the weather," said Vanderbrook.

Vanderbrook explained the day-to-day use of the proposed 10,000-square-foot space.

"Day to day use of the 10,000 square foot we strictly believe logistics, shipping and receiving stuff coming in and out, and some additional covered storage on the south side for some of our staff vehicles to stay out of the sun," said Vanderbrook.

Residents like Willison are questioning the logic behind the rezoning.

"Does this rezone make sense in this area, in this location?" said Willison.

The land, currently home to wildlife and surrounded by trees, would be cleared for the expansion if the plan is approved. The project would rezone 4.6 acres of agricultural land to commercial, impacting nearby neighborhoods like Colonial Oaks.

Joe Riccio, another concerned neighbor, highlighted the potential environmental impact.

"I think the more people talk about it and understand that they're they're ruining wetlands," said Riccio.

Riccio is particularly worried about flooding.

"They're going to change the whole dynamics of how the rain water is going to be absorbed into the soil, because they're going to take up soil, and it is agriculture, and it's full of animals," said Riccio.

For Willison, the expansion threatens the quality of life in the area.

"The quality of life for everyone that is used to it being in a quiet area on a residential street, I think that quality of life will be diminished because it's going to be a storage and parking for the fire department, which is a 24/7 operation," said Willison.

Riccio and other residents believe the expansion could be located elsewhere.

"There's a they have all that space and coconut point down there. It's on 41 it's all commercially zoned. Just build a storage unit right there," said Riccio.

Estero Fire owns the property but requires a zoning change for the expansion. The final decision rests with the council.