09/15/11 An ordinance that would change the zoning of a 3 acre piece of ground at the northeast corner of 9A and King Roads brought several property owners to the Council Chambers of City Hall Monday night. The ordinance which was heard on 1st reading would change the zoning from Rural Residential to Corridor Commercial.
On September 6th the Plymouth Plan Commission held a public hearing on the request of Jon and Paul Langfeldt to rezone the farmland so Reichert & Knepp Wrecker Service could build a heavy duty wrecker service facility. A lengthy discussion was had between Plan Commission members and the attorney representing Reichert & Knepp, Stephen Snyder. During the public hearing several property owners asked questions and made comments. They have concerns of the additional traffic congestion, how leaking fluids would be handled, fear of additional commercial growth, groundwater contamination, skeptics, and drainage.
The Plan Commission consists of 12 members with 1 non-voting position. It takes 6 votes for a motion to pass. Only 8 members were present and the vote to deny the petition was 4 in-favor, 2 opposed and 2 abstained. The rezoning petition came to the Common Council with no recommendation Monday night.
The property owners who attended the meeting and the petitioners were not able to speak during the 1st reading of the ordinance Monday night. They will have a chance to speak for and against the proposed zoning change at the September 26 city meeting when council members will hear the ordinance on second and possibly third reading.
Mayor Senter addressed those concerned property owners who were present at the council meeting saying, “We appreciate your interest.”
Council member Mark Neidig suggested that his fellow board members read the minutes from the Plan Commission hearing and meeting where it was discussed prior to the next city meeting.
