BRENTWOOD — After hours of deliberation, the Brentwood City Council gave the green light to construct a new downtown fire station, overturning a previous denial by the Planning Commission.

As Tuesday night’s meeting stretched into the early hours of Wednesday morning, the City Council voted 3-2 to approve a design review application appeal for the proposed 8,137-square-foot Fire Station 94, which will be next to Brentwood Veteran’s Memorial Hall on First Street.

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Mayor Susannah Meyer and Councilmember Jovita Mendoza dissented.

With the approval, councilmembers stipulated the station incorporate several design changes. They include the use of a light brick color, the addition of a parapet design consistent with the Brentwood Downtown Specific Plan, using windows with arched elements, adding trees, having Americans with Disabilities Act compliant parking spaces, and an enclosed storage for the exclusive use of the Veterans’ Memorial Hall.

The motion also called for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District not to prohibit street closures for city-approved events. It also said the fire district, if necessary, should “stage emergency vehicles offsite to provide proper services to the community” during such closures.

In May, the Brentwood Planning Commission unanimously rejected the application to build Fire Station 94, citing noncompliance with the Downtown Specific Plan and concerns over its size, design, and impact on the area’s character.

In March, during their first meeting on the project, commissioners deferred their decision despite hours of discussion. They instructed city staff to provide details on the impact the station would have on traffic, noise, and air quality.

Following the Planning Commission’s decision in May, Councilmember Tony Oerlemans filed an appeal because he felt commissioners “weren’t asking any questions” and dismissed the application.

The fire station project has continuously faced objections from local military veterans and residents, who argue that the site has been “historically and legally” designated for veteran-use only.

Critics have repeatedly said they did not oppose the new fire station, but urged the city to consider the Stratford Court and East Sand Creek Road as an alternate site.

On Tuesday night, more than 50 people spoke out about the issue, including Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis, a Brentwood resident, and state Assemblymember Ana Marie Avila Farias, D-Concord.

Those who supported the project argued the station would reduce response times and increase the fire district’s capacity to serve the community.

Brentwood currently has one fire station on Balfour Road, which serves over 65,000 residents across nearly 15 square miles. The fire district plans to build Fire Station 94 and Fire Station 90 through Measure X funds to meet the city’s needs.

Burgis said East Contra Costa cities such as Brentwood, Discovery Bay, Byron, Knightsen, and Oakley are “vulnerable communities” because they do not have the same type of fire and rescue support as others.

“As an elected official, I have made it a priority to make everybody safe, and so as a mom, as a grandma, and someone that has personally needed first responders, I’ll just remind you of what (Brentwood Police Chief Tim) Herbert told you about the fifth beat a few weeks ago, positioning your resources is important so we can respond as quickly as possible,” said Burgis.

Avila Farias, whose family members live in Brentwood, said the city has grown rapidly, and the growth comes with an urgent need for essential services, including a new fire station.

“We don’t have to choose between honoring our veterans and building a fire station. We can actually do both. Let’s work together to support veteran services while ensuring that Brentwood is a safe, prepared, and protected community,” said Avila Farias.

Councilmembers spent hours discussing the project. Meyer and Mendoza argued it requires a review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) despite city staff determining that it qualifies for a categorical exemption.

Mendoza said the project will also significantly impact traffic, noise, air quality, and water. She also argued that fire trucks, hazardous materials, and waste from the station’s generators will create a safety hazard due to the site’s close proximity to schools.

Mendoza highlighted that CEQA requires a full environmental impact assessment study when a project is near “sensitive receptors” such as children, the elderly, asthmatics, and others at a heightened risk of negative health outcomes through exposure.

“Even though the increased population nearby schools and community events were raised as concern, these factors are normal and can be managed through design and operation,” said Councilmember Pa’Tanisha Pierson. “City staff and fire officials have provided, in my opinion, substantial evidence that the project will not have significant impacts in areas like the one down here, concerning traffic, noise, air quality, or public services. Similar fire stations operate in comparable cities.”

Councilmember Faye Maloney said that although the project site experiences traffic congestion, emergency vehicles can drive through emergency status, which would require other vehicles to yield to them.

Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Deputy Fire Chief Aaron McAlister said the district will submit the revised plan for a building permit to the city within the next few months before starting construction, which is expected to be completed within two years.

He also said the fire district will take the feedback from residents and councilmembers seriously.

“There are lessons learned for us in that, as we’re going to build another fire station in Brentwood and it’s incumbent upon us to be more deliberate, more inclusive of the community, more inclusive of our elected officials, and really incorporate that feedback,” McAlister told this news organization.

Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building board member Donald Hester said veterans are disappointed with the outcome, as it comes “at the expense of our veterans.”

“The County made a promise to veterans back in the 1920s, and now they have no problem breaking it when it’s convenient for them,” Hester told this news organization. “What is very disappointing is that there were multiple win-win scenarios that the County and Fire District did not even want to consider. Unfortunately, as veterans, we’re all too familiar with the government not keeping its promises.”