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Neighbors urge limits on heavy uses, cite runoff and property-value risks at Jasper hearing
Summary
Two adjacent property owners told the planning commission they oppose rezoning the Starline tract to I-2, citing potential loss of property value, erosion and siltation of Lotus Lake, and asking for legally documented use restrictions and buffer protections.
Two residents who live next to the Starline tract told the Jasper Planning Commission on Aug. 5 they opposed rezoning the parcel to heavy industry and requested concrete protections before council action.
Andrew V. "Drew" Eckert, trustee and owner of roughly 18 acres immediately west of the subject tract, said the rezoning as proposed would make his property a "buffer" and could reduce its marketability and value. "I hereby formally remonstrate against the proposed rezoning," Eckert said when his written remonstrance was read into the record; in spoken remarks he asked that the record reflect his opposition to heavy industrial uses and requested that any approval come with enforceable use-development covenants. He specifically named data centers, battery storage and large-scale solar among the categories he would like excluded.
Ken Gerken, who lives at 3610 Mill Street adjacent to the site, pressed the petitioner and staff on stormwater controls and siltation into Lotus Lake. Gerken said runoff presently has filled portions of the lake with "12, 15 feet of silt" in some locations and asked for assurances that future development would include retention and water-quality measures. Planning staff and the petitioner's representatives said post-construction stormwater retention and water-quality rules would apply to any development and that designs could include dry detention or underground retention as needed.
Both commenters asked that any permitted-use exclusions or commitments be documented and included in the council packet; the commission requested the petitioner and neighbors work together to produce a list of agreed exclusions for council review.
