MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council postponed additional readings on Vernonview rezoning ordinance by a 6 to 1 vote on Monday.
The ordinance to rezone a Vernonview Drive parcel from R-1 to PND (Planned Neighborhood Development) was up for a second reading.
Council members postponed the second reading to June 10 and the third reading and public hearing to June 24.
Law Director Rob Broeren said developer KNG Equity plans to release a new site plan for the parcel.
“I think they came out of the municipal planning meeting understanding that if they were to continue believing they could put dense, apartment-style living in that area, that would be rejected by municipal planning as well as likely by this body,” Broeren said.
He said KNG wants to show a new master plan before council members decide on the Vernonview rezoning.
“They expect to have that before us by the end of the month,” he said.
KNG proposed 46 single-family, owner-occupied homes, 150 multi-family units, and 24 townhomes. Residents opposed that plan, and planning commission members said they would not favor anything that included apartments.
Broeren said the maximum density per acre for R-1 is four units. The maximum for PND is five.
“If you went with all single-family in PND, you could still increase the density,” he said.
Councilman Mike Miller voted against postponing the Vernonview rezoning ordinance.
“This zoning issue has been through municipal planning and has had public comment. I think it should follow the normal three readings of council for additional comments and thought,” he told Knox Pages.
“After the three readings, then council should vote on the matter. I believe in following the process that is established unless there is an exceptional reason to change the process.”
Legislative action
Council members suspended the three readings and approved a new insurance package for city employees.
Justin Feltner and Jacob Oxley presented the details during an Employee and Community Relations Committee meeting.
The health plan remains essentially unchanged. The dental plan moved to Ameritas and new vision coverage with EyeMed was added.
The city renewed its life, accidental death, and dismemberment coverage with Medical Mutual, with the basic benefit increased to $50,000 from $15,000.
The policies become effective June 1.
Council members took the following additional actions:
•Approved supplemental appropriations, including $283,990 from Ariel Foundation for arbor planting and sidewalk repair, $10,000 in grant money for fire department gear replacement, $2,000 reimbursement from DKMM for the tire cleanup, and $250 from an anonymous donor
•Repealed Chapter 551 of the city code relating to nuisance properties
•Adopted legislation authorizing the fire department to collect fees
•Modified the law director’s intern position to allow for hiring in May
•Gave first reading to legislation changing job titles in the safety and service departments, amending employee travel rules, and amending DORA signage
Parks and recreation
Responding to Councilman Miller’s request for updates, Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers reviewed park projects:
•The engineering department will soon have designs for the splash pad at Riverside Park.
•Working with Superintendent Steve Oster of Knox DD, the city identified seven locations for accessible picnic tables. Council member Amber Keener requested the city be mindful of the sidewalks leading to those tables.
•The city will implement new software enabling the public to reserve picnic pavilions and ball fields online. The software’s analytics will highlight which areas the community uses most and guide the city’s investment priorities.
•The CA&C Depot will get a new roof. Work continues to turn the area into a park and welcome center, incorporating a first responders’ memorial and the Statute of Liberty that the Ariel Foundation gifted the city in 2023.
•The gazebo at Riverview Park on South Gay Street will move to Heartland Commerce Park to accommodate AEP’s easement. The swings in Arch Park will also move.
•The city dedicated a tree in Shellmar Park in honor of former Councilman John Francis and will do more vegetation screening as Airco ramps up its work.
Miller noted many items on the parks master plan involve maintenance. He encouraged the city to complete much of that this year.
