Plain City rezones property to commercial
There are no comments for this page [ Add Comment ]Saturday, February 9, 2008
By TERRIE L. STEPHENSON
Standard-Examiner correspondent
Grocery store may be in plans for 16-acre area
PLAIN CITY -- A grocery store may be in the city's near future now that 16 acres of land at approximately 3100 West on 2600 North has been rezoned for commercial use.
"Your community is growing and thriving, but it's lacking some things," said Matt Swain, representing Perry and Associates.
The company bought the property, which had been zoned agriculture, and hopes to bring commercial business to Plain City. Swain said he met with the mayor and the planning commission to make sure the city wants commercial property in that area.
"Acres Market is very close to what we have in mind. We won't be bringing Wal-Mart out here. They wouldn't come out here," Swain said.
"Have you had any discussions with potential tenants?" Councilman Brett Ferrin asked.
"We have. There is an interest in coming to Plain City, the question is when," Swain said. He believes the earliest development could begin would be about two years.
Councilwoman Beth Koford said she would really like to see a grocery store like Acres come in, but she was concerned once the property was rezoned it would open the door for anything to come in.
"We approached this and did research on your ordinance as well. We have no intention of putting in a bar or a pawnshop or a nightclub," responded Swain.
He said they would consider general retail as well as medical buildings and he said he would be fine with the city carving out what they wanted in the newly established commercial zone.
"I'd rather see C-1. Why C-2?" asked Councilwoman LaFray Kelley. She explained she was not against commercial use, she would just prefer the zoning of C-1 as opposed to C-2.
C-1 zoning requires a business to have a conditional-use permit, giving the city more discretion over activities approved there.
Mayor Jay Jenkins explained C-1 zoning is a little narrower than the C-2 zoning.
"When we permit a subdivision, that doesn't mean anyone can come in and do whatever they want," Jenkins said.
He said developers still have to go through the planning commission and the city council with proposals for development.
"I agree with LaFray, I would like to see a little more protection," Koford said.
Councilman Brett Ferrin said there had been no public opposition to the request in the public hearing. The council voted unanimously to approve the request to rezone to C-2.
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