Rezoning Request Causes Concerns

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After a month-long saga of public opposition and deliberation, the Planning Commission approved a controversial rezoning request this week. Submitted last month by Donal Dorsey, Dorsey requested to rezone his property on the southeast corner of Talking Rock Road and Lumber Company Road from rural residential and business highway. During last month’s meeting, the request was met with fierce opposition by the community, concerned primarily with potential traffic congestion. In a move initiated by member Clayton Preble, the commission decided to table the request last month in an effort to collect more information and research the matter in order to make an informed decision. As such, the request was revisited this week at the commission’s March Meeting.

As part of the commission’s research, Planning Commission Director Joey Low circulated a 2005 transportation study to the commission members conducted in the area during a different project. Arbor Hills Resident Jacque Elwarner felt this data was too old.

“I think we need a current traffic study to see what the flow of traffic is all about,”

she said,

“before we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in making improvements to the road,”

referring to the cost to create the required deceleration lane for Dorsey’s business. Elwarner’s initial critique was traffic safety, saying she drives her children to school through this intersection everyday and was concerned that additional traffic created by Dorsey’s business would create a dangerous situation.

Previously, Dorsey said that his intention for the property was to build either a gas station or convenience store, which ignited another criticism from residents.

“Of the 150 homes in Arbor Hills,”

one resident argued,

“no body said that they would use a store, if a store was put there,”

noting that Walmart is only a few miles away, which would receive residential patronage rather than a convenience store.

Another criticism is cost to the county. Dorsey’s business venture could potentially cost the county approximately $350,000 for a required deceleration lane. Residents feel this would cost the county unnecessary money.

In an effort to address the concerns of the residents, Sam Wheeler from the Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) suggested to revisit the transportation study and safety improvements that would be affordable to the county.

In response to the litany of criticisms, Commission Member Clayton Preble made a motion to reject Dorsey’s rezoning request. Two other members voted to reject the request. A counter motion was then made, gaining the support of the other four members of the commission, resulting in the approval of Dorsey’s request.

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