FAIR OAKS RANCH – City Council conducted a workshop on the estimated $1.5 million City Hall expansion project on Thursday. The council members discussed the construction prog- ress at the intersection at Dietz Elkhorn Road and Chartwell Lane.
Several council members express concern about projected demolition of city’s parts warehouse
The City Hall expansion proposal came after Matrix Consulting Group projected potential staffing increases and the impacts on available space at the current city facility on Dietz Elkhorn Road. The report’s projection encompasses 20 years.
The suggested space model recommended more than 7,000 total square feet for the city, including the maintenance building, public works shed, police department and Fire Station 3.
Part of the project entails the demolition of the city’s parts warehouse for a 1,500-square-foot renovation, which prompted concerns from several council members.
“I hate tearing buildings down,” council member Jonathan Swarek said. The property was built in 1970 and according to Mayor Greg Maxton, it has been vacant since 2016.
“I’m not sure that building provides a significant historical perspective for me to retain the property,” Maxton said. “But maybe it’d be worth doing the research to find out what the history is.”
Matrix Consulting Group Senior Manager Chas Jordan noted that other pieces of property set to be demolished, including the historic Milk Barn building, would have pieces preserved, subject to an asbestos survey.
“In many projects that I’ve managed in the past, we have preserved aspects of buildings for that exact purpose,” Jordan said. “They will do an asbestos survey, review the materials that are in there so that they can confirm what type of demolition needs to occur and then give you direction on what materials could be salvaged from the demolition.”
The council directed staff to prepare a draft plan based on Option 3, which includes demolition and a site plan projecting parking spaces. Option 3 allows time to investigate the structure’s historical significance before making a final decision.
According to the report, Option 3 includes a City Hall annex north of the current City Hall to provide office, storage and meeting spaces not currently available in existing facilities.
The addition to the current City Hall would include a new office for the mayor, a new Council Chambers, an additional conference/meeting room, two additional restrooms and a waiting area.
Currently, the City Council meets in the police training room at the city building. Jordan stated that an update would be provided in a month.
The council later discussed the progress of the staff-recommended current plan on the intersection of Dietz Elkhorn Road and Chartwell Lane, which was approved in July.
The project includes left-turn lanes, improving separation of turning and through traffic to reduce backups on Ralph Fair Road.
“January 20, 2027, represents the estimated completion date for phase one,” Director of Public Works and Engineering Grant Watanabe said. “The completion date is September 20, 2027.”
