The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously on Sept. 10 to approve a new fire station in western Goleta, a project approved by the city of Goleta in 2018 to improve emergency response times and fire preparedness.

The new fire station will be built on a city-owned property at 7952 Hollister Ave., near Sandpiper Golf Club. It required Coastal Commission approval because the property is in the coastal zone, less than a mile inland from Ellwood Mesa and Haskell’s Beach.

In a statement released by the city of Goleta, Neighborhood Services and Public Safety Director Vyto Adomaitis said a new fire station for the area has been discussed since 1967, 35 years before Goleta became a city.

Adomaitis called the station “a long awaited critical public safety facility that will enhance the levels of fire protection for our community.” Fire service in western Goleta does not currently meet industry standards for response time and population to firefighter ratio, according to the city.

The new station, Fire Station 10, will be a single story building with three bays for fire engines and equipment. The project will go out to bid after the Goleta City Council approves finalized construction documents.