Concerns, but rezoning for training center OK’d by Council
Oakridger
The Oak Ridge City Council voted unanimously recently to approve rezoning that could allow for a new training center in Oak Ridge that could help firefighters train, as well as federal and state agencies.
City Council will need to approve the rezoning a second time in order for it to go ahead.
The training center will, if everything goes ahead, be on 20 acres of property along Oak Ridge Turnpike currently owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and described by city Manager Mark Watson as “virgin land.”
W. Barry Brooke, executive vice president of developer LawlerWood, explained to City Council the specifics of the development. He said it will have an area where firefighters can perform drills like hooking hoses up to hydrants. Some of these drills will involve smoke, but he said the smoke used will be non-toxic. He also said drills will focus on what to do during nuclear scenarios. He said the complex will also have 48 offices and 16 classrooms. LawlerWood’s application stated local, federal and state agencies will use the facility.