DUBOIS – The DuBois City Council explained the change in thinking of zoning along Beaver Drive at Monday’s meeting.
What prompted the explanation was Dan Kolhep asking if the zoning changes in council bill 1835 were to make it easier to allow the Tractor Supply to move in and why he was told no by Toni Cherry 10 years ago when he wanted to put a retail business along Beaver drive.
Council Bill 1835 removes schools and related uses from what is allowed in transitional zones, which makes up most of the zoning along Beaver Drive. It then adds retail stores, shops, grocery stores, home improvement and building supply stores to what is allowed in transitional zones.
Toni Cherry, city solicitor, explained that the times had changed in the last decade.
“So are we changing it for a specific reason? The answer is no,” said Cherry, but admitted it was part of the consideration.
According to Cherry, when Kolhep first approached her the intent was for the area to be more industrial in nature. Only things began to change.
The DEP began taking more land because of wetland protection.
“What was once 30 acres became 20, and then 15,” explained Mayor John “Herm” Suplizio later on.
Cherry explained that while DEP said they would not take any more land, she noted that these agreements tended to only be valid during the administration they were made in.
The planning committee had also found three other factors that have discouraged industrial use of the area: distance from Interstate 80, distance from the rail road and the price of the land has been increasing.
