From the London Free Press - www.canoe.ca/London

Friday, April 21, 2000 Byron firehall still bitter issue By DEBORA VAN BRENK, Free Press City Hall Reporter   London is poised to honour a 40-year-old promise to give Byron a firehall, but some neighbours are pouring cold water on the site. City politicians and the fire department say the hall, planned for a V-shaped land parcel straddling Boler and Halls Mill roads, is a done deal. But some Halls Mill neighbours, citing rush-hour traffic congestion, say it shouldn't be built there. "I have concerns that this is the worst possible location for this firehall," said Debbie Park. Construction is set to begin this summer, with a fall completion. The firehall has always been a contentious issue in the west London suburb and the bitterness continues, Byron has been without a firehall since London annexed the area in 1961. Its former fire station was converted into a library. Since then, debate has raged about when and where the new firehall would be built. City council in 1995 set aside $1 million to build the hall two years ago and chose the proposed location. The site was rezoned last year, but some neighbours say they didn't realize public meetings meant the site had been approved. "We've been left totally in the dark," said Eric Luce. Park hopes a public meeting the fire department has scheduled for next Thursday will prompt city officials to take "one step back" from the plan. But fire Chief Dave Hodgins said the meeting's intent is to discuss the design of the building and entranceways from the road. The location isn't on the table. "It can't be," he said. "We have direction from council." The station's front will face the point of the V-shaped parcel and the configuration will allow emergency vehicles to turn onto Halls Mill and Boler roads. Hodgins said the city has agreed to spend $310,000 on road improvements. "The word we had from engineering is that the traffic issues can be resolved." Park said there's never been a sign on the site indicating its intended use, so she believes few residents are aware of the plans. But Ward 7 Coun. Gord Hume said "people have known about it for more than a year . . . It has been well thought out." The site eventually may become home to a satellite police station and ambulance bay. BYRON FIREHALL MEETING - When: April 27, 7 p.m. - Where: Byron branch library, 1295 Commissioners Rd. W. - Why: For information and feedback on architectural, transportation and fire safety plans.