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People take a pass on firehall public hearing

The public hearing to create a new zone to allow for a firehall on 1512 Keating X Road drew fewer than 20 residents last week.

The public hearing to create a new zone to allow for a firehall on 1512 Keating X Road drew fewer than 20 residents last week.

Two sisters, however, were quite outspoken in their objection to the location of the hall.

“I want to go on record as saying I am wholly opposed to this rezoning,” said Charlotte Funston, neighbour to the property.

“The sounds of the alarms, the noise of a firehall will be extremely disturbing … I’m really surprised that this is allowed to go forth … In my estimation that firehall should sited further down the road, over the hill in the Keating Industrial area where possibility of noise and pollutants is not so critical,” she said.

“I’m concerned with the noise pollution … sleep deprivation … traffic congestion, is a real issue,” said Linda Funston. “We do like to grow our food organically … fire training exercises will create smoke, ash, pollutants and contaminants.”

“We won’t be polluting,” said Central Saanich Fire Chief Ron French. “We won’t spray foam on the site, all the water will be recycled, it’s all environmentally friendly. We’re looking at doing a gas training area so we won’t be burning any fuel or petroleum products. We use artificial smoke like they use in the theatre, nothing real — we’re past that … it’s safer technology for (firefighters) and the environment,” said French.