Planning Commission Recommends Rezoning, Vacates Road and Approves Plats Amid Resident Fears of Truck-Stop Uses

The City of Rockwell Planning Commission on July 29 recommended that City Council approve a right-of-way vacation and a rezoning in the Red Baron subdivision and approved several associated plats, after extended public comment urging caution about potential truck-stop uses and water-quality issues.

Planner Michelle Cloud told the commission the vacation of a portion of McGriff Way south of Reagan Avenue meets the six criteria in the municipal code governing right-of-way vacations (Article 36-6): it removes the city's maintenance obligation, preserves utility and private access easements, will not landlock properties, and will not reduce public services. Cloud also recommended the rezoning of Blocks 1–4 of Block 10 to the Highway Service district to align zoning with the city's comprehensive plan and the proposed consolidated plat.

Residents, however, urged the commission to deny or slow the actions. Scott Wood, who identified himself as a nearby resident, said, "We don't want a gas station or a truck stop," and warned that trucks parking and turning into the neighborhood would create safety and quality-of-life problems. Several other residents…