Rezoning ordinance for concrete plant fails first reading

MT. PLEASANT — After months of meetings, Henry County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 against the proposed rezoning of part of the SE of SE Section 7 Township from A-1 Agricultural to I-1 Industrial during Tuesday’s first reading of the ordinance.

This proposed ordinance made its way to the board due to a request from Chad Ebling to consider rezoning a parcel of land with the intention of erecting a concrete plant.

This latest rejection of the proposed rezoning comes after the board initially denied the ordinance based on incorrect assertions from attorney Mitch Taylor representing “an undisclosed resident,” at the July 25 original first reading.

While the county building and zoning committee recommended the rezoning to the board and Ebling’s lawyer William Jahn convinced the board to reconsider the first reading, the board did not change their vote.

Despite holding a public hearing on the topic last week separate from the first reading, Supervisor Chad White allowed for public comments during Tuesday’s meeting.

Many of these comments included concerns about dust control, questions about other available land, and worries for property devaluation.

“It's not that I don't want the concrete plant,” one nearby property owner said. “I think that the Ebling family is a very good family. I just believe that there’s better areas.”

Alongside these comments urging the board to vote against the rezoning, however, others spoke in favor of the ordinance and allowing the concrete plant, including local business owner Sid Davis who feels the county does not welcome new businesses.

“I feel like you have a closed sign up,” Davis said. “We don’t want you; you can’t go here.”

As the supervisors held their vote and the first reading failed, Davis could be heard saying “Wow! Put the closed sign up,” as he left the room.

“Hard decisions,” White commented on the board’s choice.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com