Residents urge halt to Holy Hill development, call for wider public hearings

During the citizen comment portion of the meeting, several residents urged the commission to slow or stop new industrial development in the Holy Hill area and to hold fuller public hearings before approving land-use changes. A resident (public commenter) told the commission, "They don't want manufacturing" and said many Holy Hill residents prefer condominiums or homeownership that would raise the tax base rather than new industrial uses. That commenter also alleged past spending that had not been investigated, saying the past bookkeeper "told me that we paid $280,000 for some sewer drain," and asked the commission to publicize hearings with large signs and newspaper notices.

Melanie Smythe, who said she serves on the Economic Development Commission, urged that the village include a stormwater study and ensure the Woodside neighborhood is part of planning decisions after recent flooding and noise and lighting impacts from existing warehouses. Jim Stout, a resident who said he plans to place an agricultural easement on his land, told the commission, "All further development in the Holy Hill District must be stopped," and said he believes development has worsened flooding on his farm. Commissioners acknowledged the concerns and said stormwater will be included in master-plan considerations and public engagement.