JACKSON TWP.: The Jackson Township Hall was filled to capacity on Tuesday night as trustees reviewed a proposed legislation to rezone a 4.6 acre lot from R-R rural residential to R-4 Multi-family residential for a proposed apartment complex.
The board voted unanimously against the rezoning proposal.
More than 121 residents attended the meeting and several spoke against the proposed legislation by McKinley Development Company to construct a $4 million, 44-unit apartment complex at 6990 Hills and Dales NW. Currently the land is only zoned for single-family homes.
McKinley representative Beth Gorda addressed council with information about the "upscale apartment complex" proposal.
"We need owner occupied residents, not renters," said resident, Elizabeth Robbins.
Other neighbors agreed and approached the podium to express their concerns over health risks due to a proposed retention pond and safety issues due to transients that may live in the apartment complex.
One of the biggest issues for residents was traffic safety. Several residents spoke about the hazards of turning left onto Hills and Dales when leaving their neighborhoods and they were concerned that an apartment complex would cause more traffic problems.
Trustee President James Walters thanked the residents in the crowd for their participation after a long discussion and debate about the issue.
"A community doesn't work without people being actively involved and this is the most difficult zoning change that we have had to consider," Walters said.
