Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District 11 Rezoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge council to protect trees, heed planning commission on District 11 rezoning
Summary
Multiple residents told Hudson City Council they oppose a proposed District 11 rezoning and urged the council to protect mature trees and follow the planning commission and the 2024 comprehensive plan; commenters warned developers prioritize returns over community values.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, several residents addressed the council about the proposed District 11 rezoning and related development on the former Joanne Fabric parcel.
Kurt Van Blarckham (S10) told the council he and the tree commission planted 200 native trees during Hudson’s bicentennial and urged that future development in District 11 respect and retain those plantings and substantial stands of mature trees on the Joanne parcel.
Suzanne Kim (S13) said she emailed council members on March 17 opposing the District 11 rezoning and asked the council to respect the planning commission’s request for more time to study the matter. Kim cited extended planning commission meeting times and wrote that the city’s antiquated code makes a planned development difficult; she also referenced an email reply from Councilor Weinstein and called some council communications “disingenuous.”
Todd Zdak (S4), who described his role in developing Hudson’s 2024 comprehensive plan, urged council to let the comprehensive plan and existing zoning guide decisions. Zdak warned that developer IRG’s priorities focus on shareholder return rather than community values and said the plan’s map and district designations should limit where mixed use may be applied.
Councilors previously noted (during correspondence) that a District 11 open house is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. at City Hall and encouraged residents to attend. No formal council vote on rezoning occurred at this meeting; several councilors acknowledged public concern and reiterated opportunities for public input through the planning process.
What’s next: councilors and staff urged residents to attend the District 11 open house and planning-commission hearings; the council did not take legislative action on District 11 at this meeting.
