Henry County future land use map changes

MT. PLEASANT — Thursday morning, Henry County Board of Supervisors changed a portion of the county’s future land use map from residential to industrial in a two to one vote.

According to Planning and Zoning Commission Director Joe Buffington, the vote changed the north eight acres of a parcel of land on the west side of Hickory Avenue.

Supervisor Greg Moeller explained that Chad Ebling upwards of 20 acres in this area in hopes of establishing a concrete plant.

According to County Auditor Shelly Barber, many of those in attendance at the July 29 supervisors meeting were in favor of a change for the concrete plant.

“A lot of them were here because they wanted it,” Barber said. “Because there is only one concrete company, which is Ideal.”

When Ebling approached the Planning and Zoning Commission about rezoning so he could pursue this project, he was instructed that first the land use map would need adjusted, then zoning could be evaluated.

The Planning and Zoning Commission originally sent a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors to adjust the land use map as the first step in this process, but the board asked for additional information and meetings as the change was met with opposition from homeowners near the property.

“This has been a decision that I thought over long and hard and what to do,” Supervisor Marc Lindeen commented before voting in favor of the decision. “I don't want to stifle any development of any type of economic growth in the county.”

“I appreciate the work that our Planning and zoning commission does, and it's not always an easy task like this decision right here,” he said.

Moeller expressed how difficult it was to make this decision due to knowing everyone involved in the conflict.

“That's the most difficult part for me, to remove the personal,” he said. “I’ve known most of the people here for most of my life, but those are just my personal feelings.”

“Possibly the process could have been handled a little differently prior to the purchase of the property that we have in question here and it is difficult for myself to withdraw the personal part of this to make this decision,” Moeller said before also voting in favor of the change.

Supervisor Chad White stated that he came to his conclusion to vote against the change after reading “stacks of material.”

According to Buffington, the Planning and Zoning Commission hopes to discuss the rezoning of this area at their next regular meeting scheduled for July 11.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com