CONNEAUT —
A rezoning application aimed at a pending expansion of Evergreen Lake Campgrounds was embraced by Conneaut’s City Council at a Thursday night public hearing.
Council, in fact, would have approved the rezoning on the spot if not for the absence of two members that made a vote impossible. The rezoning is expected to surface at council’s Oct. 9 regular meeting.
Earlier this year, Evergreen Lake acquired 50 acres adjoining its property. Campground owners want to rezone the land from an A-1 (agricultural) to O-1 (open space/recreational) to facilitate an expansion. This past summer, Conneaut’s Planning Commission approved the recommendation and forwarded it to council for final and official approval. Only council can authorize changes to the city’s zoning ordinance and code.
Plenty of people attended Thursday’s hearing, but none of them spoke except Diana Spencer, a neighboring landowner. Spencer praised Evergreen Lake, saying its “stewardship of its property has been exceptional.”
Council didn’t need to be convinced. Despite the lack of dialog, members whole-heartedly endorsed the application, saying it will provide a boost to the community.
“This is an expansion of an existing business, and I’m all in favor of that,” said Ward 2 Councilman Phil Garcia. “I have heard no opposition.”
Council received only one letter commenting on the application, and it was in favor of the rezoning, said Council President Thomas Udell.
A bigger campground creates room for more campers and the money they spend at local stores, gas stations and restaurants, said Councilman-at-large John Roach. An influx of campers could also help revive the nearby Gateway Plaza shopping center, council said.
“It’s a no-brainer,” Garcia said.
Council would have approved the application Thursday night, but only five members attended the hearing. Six are needed to rescind the rule that requires three separate readings for new legislation. Absent were Ward 1 Councilman Doug Hedrick and Ward 3 Councilman Richard McBride.
If the application is approved, it will break a string of rezoning rejections by council. Within the past year, the Planning Commission has sent council three rezoning ideas members believed would spur business development. One plan would have brought a Dollar General store to the city’s west side. Each plan, however, was strongly opposed by neighbors and ultimately turned down by council.
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