Posted: 10/28/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
On Oct. 20, the Rush City Planning Commission continued meeting over a request from Delores Mold and Dan Birdsall for an amendment to the cityís 1997 Comprehensive Plan.
The Mold family is in the process of selling 44.3 acres to developer Birdsall who would like to create a residential development. The land in question is adjacent to the regional airport.
The issues before the planning commission involve the potential for housing to be built too close to the airport, and where the airport could expand in the future.
The amendment being requested is so that the land on the east side of Forest Boulevard could be included in a future area of residential zoning.
It is currently zoned agriculture.
Pilots and other airport officials have emphasized the importance of leaving a buffer zone between any housing, and also provide space for the airport to expand.
According to Mark Nelson, a member of the airport board, before the planning commission and city make any changes on the land, the airport board would like to sit down and talk about the issues.
He noted that in 11 years there have been several fatalities at the airport, the most recent, he said, would have occurred in a residential development if the zoning had already been changed.
Since the Oct. 6 meeting, the first part of the planning commissionís discussion on this request, Birdsall has met with City Administrator Daniel Hoffman.
Birdsall said heíd like to see a line drawn defining specific areas near the airport.
The motion to approve the request for the comprehensive plan amendment failed due to a 3-3 tie.
Discussion continued and Mark Nelson was asked what a good use for the land around the airport would be.
Nelson noted that at many airports the land is left open.
An audience member, Jim Ertz, told the planning commission they had time to make sure their decision is right for everyone.
He reminded them that millions of dollars are invested in the airport and expansion of hangars.
Several planning commission members thought it might be good to see what the city can handle as far as infrastructure for additional housing.
Planning commission chairman Wayne Pesha reminded everyone that there is no rezoning happening at this time.
It was noted that if the city did amend the comp plan to include residential as a future use in this area, the city could not turn anyone down who presented a plat.
With the deadlock on the request meaning a denial, Hoffman suggested extending the time on the request and he suggested that Birdsall come back with a new plan.
Birdsall agreed to the extended time.
The planning commission then moved to recommend to the city council the denial of the initial request. It was approved 4-1.
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