MOUNT VERNON — The future of Ron Ross’ investment property now lay in the hands of the Clinton Township trustees after the Clinton Township Zoning Commission did not recommend to rezone the parcel.
Ross purchased 7.25 acres of land on New Delaware Road and requested that it be rezoned from Rural Residential/Agricultural to General Business. Four Clinton Township residents took exception to the requested change and voiced their opinions during Thursday night’s meeting.
“It’s the New Delaware Road patch that’s got everybody concerned,” Gail Milligan said to Ross.
She expressed worry over bright lights encroaching onto residential properties if Ross decided to expand his used car lot in the future.
“Where we live we’re right next to – I found out – Hank’s place that’s commercial,” Milligan said. “I can tell you that if it wasn’t for those trees behind our property . . . if you bring more (lights) it’s going to light the night for us. It’s concerning.”
Milligan’s husband, Ron, said traffic was a basic concern at Ross Premier Motors.
“It’s a used car dealership. There’s traffic in and out of there almost 24/7,” said Ron Milligan. “A car lot – that’s what they have is traffic. They depend on traffic. If there’s no traffic they ain’t selling cars.”
“I have no plans for this property,” Ross said, a refrain he would repeat throughout the meeting. “Yes, I did buy it as an investment. I have no plans; I am not growing. But it makes no sense as a land buyer to buy that property to not have that parcel open on New Delaware Road.”
Though Ross said there currently were no plans for the 7.25 acres, Joan Ransom still had concerns for the unknown future of the land if it was rezoned to General Business, especially due to the fact that she owns property across the road.
“You’re practically in my front yard,” Ransom said. “Once you’re zoned business you can do practically anything you want.”
“I’m not here to hurt anybody,” Ross said later. “I’m not here to mislead anybody or deceive anybody. I did buy this property for an investment. I have absolutely zero plans for it, but this property is going to be there way after I’m gone. By doing it commercial opens that door. You could not General Business that property to anybody better than me.”
“This is not a spot zoning issue,” Zac DiMarco, Ross’ attorney, said. “We already had General Business parcels that are contiguous to the east as well as to the south. I understand the concerns of the folks in the room to connecting New Delaware Road to Harcourt Road.”
DiMarco pointed out, however, that the issuing of connecting the two roads is already a potential option even without the rezoning.
“We’re not asking for something new and out of the blue,” DiMarco said. “This is something that has already happened in the neighborhood and we’re just asking to keep in mind what is already occurring. At this time there are no current plans, no blueprints or anything like that to develop this parcel.”
DiMarco added that the request is simply to prepare if an opportunity arises for a business need at that parcel.
The Zoning Commission eventually voted 3-1 against approving the rezoning recommendation with Kent Miller the lone vote in favor. The request, which already received recommendation approval from the Knox County Regional Planning Commission, will be presented to the Clinton Township trustees for a final vote.
