The Town of Rising Sun held a meeting on July 11, 2023, where various topics concerning local development and community engagement were discussed. The meeting began with Commissioner Kleiner expressing gratitude towards Judy and her public works team for their efforts during the recent transition to a new trash hauler, acknowledging the overtime and hard work involved.

Kleiner also highlighted a recent ribbon-cutting event for a local business, Inside Scoop, praising their offerings and wishing them success. This was followed by a discussion on ongoing development projects in the town, specifically addressing community concerns regarding the nature of these developments.

Kleiner clarified that the two current developments, Stevens Preserve and the Knutson property, have been in the pipeline for many years, with the latter being annexed before the real estate crash of 2008. He emphasized a shift in the town's approach to development, noting that the current administration is more collaborative with developers compared to past practices, which were often adversarial.

The Commissioner pointed out the necessity for growth in the community to attract businesses that residents have expressed interest in, such as Dunkin' Donuts and Chick-fil-A. He explained that without an increase in the population, these businesses would not find it viable to establish themselves in Rising Sun.

Kleiner reassured residents that the planning and zoning board is committed to the town's future and is focused on sustainable development rather than solely on financial gain for developers. He concluded by announcing that the Planning Commission would meet on July 17, 2023, while noting that the Board of Zoning Appeals currently has no scheduled meetings due to a lack of variance requests.

Overall, the meeting underscored the town's commitment to thoughtful development and community engagement, aiming to balance growth with the needs and desires of its residents.