Columbia Planning and Zoning Commission approves new fire station in the southern part of the city

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Columbia's planning and zoning commission voted unanimously Thrusday night to recommend a new fire station in south Columbia. That approval now goes before the Columbia City Council on Sept. 21.

According to the planning and zoning commission, the new fire station will be built near the intersection of Scott Boulevard and Deerfield Ridge.

The station will be Columbia Fire Department's first new facility since 2009.

Columbia Fire Department Assistant Chief Brad Fraizer said during that 11 years of growth, department resources have been stretched thin.

"As a community has spread out we've identified a need for additional stations to keep up with that growth," Fraizer said in July. "One is in the southwest part of the community, one in the east part of the community, but specifically in the southwest part of the community."

Fraizer said the department conducted research that has shown the new station could have a positive impact on about 186 calls and will help bring the department's travel time down in the southwest area.