Plan Commission approves comprehensive plan

2 months, 1 week ago by Paige Traeder

After being tabled for 30 days from the last meeting, the Quincy Plan Commission approved the City of Quincy Neighborhood Use Plan and the City of Quincy Comprehensive Plan by a 6-4 vote.

The Land Use Plan will serve as a guidebook for future and new initiatives and the Commission was amending the Comprehensive Plan to include the Land Use Plan.

The Commission received a letter on March 5 from the Deters family, who wanted to make some changes to the zoning classifications on portions of their property. The property, south of State from 48th to 54th, is currently zoned single-family residential because, back in 2006, city officials met with neighbors and that is what the majority wanted.

Members of Deters family, who spoke on behalf of the entire Deters Land Trust, wanted portions of land south of State to be Mixed Use and Commercial, not just single-family residential. Their reason was for possible future endeavors and to have it open if an opportunity arises.

City Engineer Chuck Bevelheimer explained why there was so much discussion on the topic.

"Well, the Deters Land Trust has asked to make a change in the plan,” Bevelheimer said. “In 2006, we had a number of meetings where their plan was reviewed but the neighbors gave their input and we ended up with a, at the time we thought a compromise of having some mix use south of State at 48th. That is what the neighbors said they wanted based on the debate. Obviously, everyone has a right to petition the change and Deters Land Trust has made that petition and presented that to the Plan Commission tonight."

Many people seemed to have a problem with this request, as the entire room was filled for the meeting. Three residents spoke to give their input and all agreed they were against the change and wanted the land to remain single-family residential.

One resident, Chuck Fitch, said he "was shocked to get this letter in the mail" and says the Deters family "has quite a bit of other land they can develop on."

After a half hour long discussion and debate, roll call was taken for both the Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Plan. With a 6-4 vote, the motion did carry.

In other action, Scott and David Waterkotte requested rezoning from Light Industrial to Heavy Industrial in order to establish a concrete recycling operation on a 6-1/2 acre L-shaped parcel on the south side of 2500 Wismann Lane. The concrete recycling operation to be made possible by the zoning change would involve stockpiling concrete rubble, removing rebar, and using a specialized machine to crush the material and reclaim the aggregate.

The Commission's main concern was the possible noise from the crushing process, but the placement of a berm on the north side of the recycling operation to shield the residential properties from associated noise was discussed. The motion did carry and the request was approved.

Also, Trevor Beck requested a small-tract subdivision to split the east 100 feet of the lot from the parent tract at 2801 Harrison Street. The property is a corner lot with 100 feet of frontage on South 28th St., and 221 feet of frontage on Harrison Street.

 One resident, Caroline McKay, spoke on behalf of a group of residents living at 2801 Harrison and said they have concerns and they would like the area to remain single-family residential. The Commission ultimately approved the request from Beck.

All matters approved by the Plan Commission go to City Council on Monday.