A special exception request by the Ashburn Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department to tear down a portion of its existing station and construct a larger facility on the 3.17-acre site along Ashburn Road is set for a public hearing Tuesday night.

The fire company now has 17,535 square feet of space, but would spread out into a 36,083-square-foot building.

The proposal calls for a slightly expanded footprint for the new building. Founder’s Hall to the rear of the existing station would remain, but the front portion of the station would be torn down.

“Tonight's vote will hopefully be the culmination of a two and a half year effort to modernize Ashburn Fire Station 6,” said Carl Cowan, president of the department, adding that the boundary line adjustments and rezoning were required in addition to the current special exception. “The Ashburn Community has been growing steadily for years and our service right along with it. What was once an engine company with a crew of six is now an engine, tower, medic, ambulance, command and safety unit with crew support of 18.”

Because of the growth, Cowan said, the department needs more room.

“The fire station itself can no longer effectively support the crews and a renovation is needed,” he said. “What we hope to gain with the proposed renovation is a modern facility large enough to support the needs of the department now and into the future.”

Among the proposed conditions of approval is the restriction of outdoor social activities and outdoor training exercises from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The fire company has requested some zoning modifications, including the ability to retain the existing privacy fence and trees as buffers instead of required plantings.

Besides the fire station, a garage and a telecommunications facility are currently on the site, which is bordered by the Good Shepherd Alliance to the north, the W&OD Trail and parking lot to the south, Ashburn Road to the west and homes in Ashburn Village to the east.

The board's public hearing session begins at 6 p.m. July 10 in the County Government Building in Leesburg.