An hour-and-a-half of Tuesday’s Culver Town Council meeting was centered around the annexation and rezoning of 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10. The annexation simply places the five contiguous parcels totaling 71 acres into the town’s limits. Utilities would be available for connection at the expense of the developer. After hearing questions concerning connectivity of utilities during a public hearing on annexation, the board unanimously voted in favor of the second reading of the ordinance allowing the process to continue. A resolution was also unanimously approved to accept the fiscal plan as part of the process.
Following that public hearing, another public hearing was held concerning the rezoning of the five contiguous parcels totaling 71 acres at 17664 State Road 17 and 19456 State Road 10. Several people spoke in favor of the proposed housing development for the Planned Unit Development (PUD) but outwardly opposed the commercial development of a gas station at the corner of State Road 17 and State Road 10. Many said that part of the PUD will not fit in line with how the parcels line up. The surrounding landowners spoke out against the gas station citing fumes, disruption of peace, the immediate deterioration of property values, safety issues, the possibility of water contamination with underground fuel tanks, and the theft of rural ambiance. Others felt the commercial development would send the focus away from downtown merchants.
Developer Thomas Beste noted that his intention is to offer another area of growth for residents and add another business opportunity north of the town limits. While his PUD application would allow this business venture, the parcels adjacent to the proposed gas station could allow future development. That future development is unknown at this time and also draws concerns from landowners near the property.
The town council members mentioned that they would agree with the residents in that they would possibly review the proposal if the commercial aspect was separate from the residential housing development.
The Culver Town Council members did unanimously vote to deny the first reading of the ordinance that would rezone the parcels. Beste will now need to go back to the plan commission with amended plans for future consideration. The final reading of the annexation ordinance will be delayed.
