Council approves rezoning of two Grove Street parcels after neighbors raise safety, odor and parking concerns

The Fond du Lac City Council on Oct. 22 adopted an amendment to the city's 2040 comprehensive plan and an ordinance rezoning 335 and 341 Grove Street from R-1 single-family residential to M-1 manufacturing to allow expansion of employee parking for the adjacent food-processing site.

Neighbors spoke at length during audience comments, citing noise, intermittent ammonia or "sour" odors, occasional airborne particulates and frequent semi-truck traffic. "My major concern is just with the evacuations," said Zach Rogers, a North Side resident, describing chemical-evacuation drills and limited evacuation routes where the plant is bounded by the river and railroad. "I don't want additional area closer or deeper into residential areas that could support a facility that could have, like, a cause an evacuation of any form."

Marie Kelly, who said she has…