By Carol Walker
The effort by Nelson’s Oil and Gas, Inc., to build a propane plant, sales office and a light retail area on the junction of Hwy. 385 and China Gulch Road came to another dead end on Monday night when requests for a zoning change from residential to commercial and a conditional use permit which would have allowed the propane tanks were both denied by the council.
Brett McMacken, city administrator, distributed to council members copies of Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) minutes dated February and March 2015 when the discussions began. Aldermen were also given copies of letters and e-mails from many of the surrounding landowners opposed to the proposal of a facility which would have three 30,000 gallon propane tanks in their area.
P&Z minutes show discussions last year centered on fire and safety hazards, environmental impact, transportation and the aesthetics of the plant. A representative from Nelson’s responded, listing the state regulations, governmental requirements, insurance obligations and other provisions with which they must comply in order to stay in business. The Nelson’s representative expressed a willingness to address the aesthetics of the property.
At a recent P&Z meeting, the commission recommended that the council not approve the zoning change and conditional use permit. It was then brought before the city council on Monday night when many of the neighboring landowners were there to express opposition to the proposal.
“If you have a recommendation from P&Z, then go with it….I don’t want my place to blow up, wash away or see the depreciation of the value of my property,” said Mary Triplett.
Her comments echoed concerns expressed in letters which listed safety concerns, water run-off from a possible paved parking lot and the aesthetic issues which could devalue property surrounding the plant. Also expressed in the letters were light pollution, noise, traffic and the poor planning that would be expressed in spot zoning.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer News. To subscribe, call (605) 574-2538.
The effort by Nelson’s Oil and Gas, Inc., to build a propane plant, sales office and a light retail area on the junction of Hwy. 385 and China Gulch Road came to another dead end on Monday night when requests for a zoning change from residential to commercial and a conditional use permit which would have allowed the propane tanks were both denied by the council.
Brett McMacken, city administrator, distributed to council members copies of Hill City Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) minutes dated February and March 2015 when the discussions began. Aldermen were also given copies of letters and e-mails from many of the surrounding landowners opposed to the proposal of a facility which would have three 30,000 gallon propane tanks in their area.
P&Z minutes show discussions last year centered on fire and safety hazards, environmental impact, transportation and the aesthetics of the plant. A representative from Nelson’s responded, listing the state regulations, governmental requirements, insurance obligations and other provisions with which they must comply in order to stay in business. The Nelson’s representative expressed a willingness to address the aesthetics of the property.
At a recent P&Z meeting, the commission recommended that the council not approve the zoning change and conditional use permit. It was then brought before the city council on Monday night when many of the neighboring landowners were there to express opposition to the proposal.
“If you have a recommendation from P&Z, then go with it….I don’t want my place to blow up, wash away or see the depreciation of the value of my property,” said Mary Triplett.
Her comments echoed concerns expressed in letters which listed safety concerns, water run-off from a possible paved parking lot and the aesthetic issues which could devalue property surrounding the plant. Also expressed in the letters were light pollution, noise, traffic and the poor planning that would be expressed in spot zoning.
Available only in the print version of the Hill City Prevailer News. To subscribe, call (605) 574-2538.