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Planning board tables rezoning requests for two large Hobart parcels after residents raise traffic, pipeline and infrastructure concerns
Summary
Wiley Capital’s request to rezone roughly 168 acres across two parcels from R‑2 to M‑1 drew extensive public comment about truck traffic, wetlands, dewatering, a gas pipeline and potential data‑center use; commissioners voted to table both petitions pending traffic studies and binding infrastructure commitments.
WILEY CAPITAL, HOBART — The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority on Tuesday tabled two rezoning petitions that would change large parcels north of the Clay Street and U.S. 30 intersection from R‑2 (residential) to M‑1 (industrial), after residents and commissioners pressed for traffic, environmental and infrastructure guarantees.
Jason Simon, founder of Wiley Capital, told the board the sites total roughly 168 acres and that industrial zoning would align with Hobart’s adopted comprehensive plan, create construction and permanent jobs and generate “terrific” tax revenue for the city. He said the conceptual site plans show low lot coverage because wetlands and a utility easement constrain buildable area and that the developer would provide setbacks, berms and landscape screening to buffer neighbors.
Residents said the rezoning proposal raised immediate concerns. Robert Wright, who identified himself as living on Clay Street, warned it could bring “traffic, noise, pollution” and threaten property values and safety near a high‑pressure gas pipeline. “I’ve been here almost 60 years. I don’t want the value of my home to go to hell because somebody wanted to build a business there,” he said.
Other speakers pressed similar points: Patricia Corey said truck traffic has already damaged local roads and raised health worries; Joseph Conn asked whether the sites might be used as a data center rather than warehouses and urged a traffic study; Jeff Chaz and Wade Bieber said they supported industrial development in principle but opposed data centers and asked that truck routes be directed to U.S. 30 rather than local streets.
Commissioners focused on process and infrastructure. One commissioner urged that the developer pursue a planned unit development (PUD) rather than straight rezoning so that a development agreement could guarantee road widening, sewer and water extensions and property acquisitions when needed. “For something of this size … a PUD gives us control,” the commissioner said.
Simon said the zoning request was a necessary first step to attract corporate users and that site plans would return for review and permitting. He also said the developer would coordinate with pipeline operators and civil engineers on construction constraints and any required approvals.
After discussing the need for a traffic study, clear commitments on road improvements (several commissioners said Clay Street would need a four‑lane configuration with curbs, gutters and sidewalks) and assurances about who would pay for utility extensions and property acquisitions, the board voted to table both petitions to allow staff and the developer time to provide the requested studies and agreements.
The board also noted midprocess that a ‘gray area’ in the comprehensive plan north of the parcels should be clarified before action on the rezonings. The planning authority did not approve any zoning change at the meeting; the petitions will return to a future agenda once the requested technical work and infrastructure commitments are provided.
