Friday, Oct. 17

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Goodman appeals rezoning
of Fifth Street property    
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[OCT. 17, 2003]  The Lincoln Planning Commission met last night to hear a request they declined one year ago to rezone a property. Cindy Goodman re-petitioned to have the property at 1100-1125 Fifth St. rezoned from R-2 to C-2.

R-2 is a designation for residential use only. The rezoning would allow the property to be developed for commercial use.

Eleven members of the commission listened as Goodman, those supporting the rezoning and those opposing the rezoning presented their reasons and opinions.

Goodman said that she would like to build a building for her floral business on that property. She has been running her business out of the back of the Cherished Memories store downtown. The location has a lot of drawbacks, personal parking being a major factor. She needs a space with close access to her delivery vehicle.

The building, Goodman said, would blend with the neighborhood and look a bit like a home. The lot would have a privacy fence at the back. She said the building would have what looked like a porch on one end and a carport for easy access to her delivery vehicle. She would have some off-street parking. The flower business is 75 percent telephone orders. Only holidays bring an increase in foot traffic.

Goodman said she knows there is already a water runoff issue at that location. When she petitioned last year neighbors complained that there were already problems with flooding in the area. They were concerned that paving the lot would contribute to the flooding with increased water runoff.

City Engineer Mark Mathon said that the property sits midblock and is the break point for water runoff on Fifth Street. Facing north on Fifth Street, the property is the highest point in the area. Everything descends from that point in each direction. Therefore water runoff goes east and west along Fifth Street and south toward residences at the back of the property. The nearest storm sewer is a block and a half away in front of Casey's.

Goodman said, "We are willing to work with the city and do whatever we need to do."

Goodman named all the businesses already lining that area on Fifth Street. She pointed out that it was highly unlikely anyone would want to build a home there. "It is pretty much a commercial area," she said.

All of the opponents to the rezoning are people with homes near the property. Kathy Horn from 404 S. Jefferson St. has a home that was one of the first properties developed in the neighborhood.

Horn said that she had not had water in her basement in the 24 years since she built her home. She had water in her basement in March and May. She attributes the water to the changes that were made on the lot. The trees were removed, the lot was excavated, and sidewalks were added. She fears that further development, the lack of grass- and tree-covered ground to absorb water, and the addition of parking pavement will increase the water flow toward her home. Having recently lost her job with the closing of Eagle, Horn is concerned about protecting her investment in her home. Facing the potential of more damage or trying to sell her house, she said, "I cannot afford it."

[Suella Tucker's house adjacent to rezoned lot.]

 

Another neighbor to the VFW side of the property, Suella Tucker, said that she thinks the water flow is greater now that the trees are gone. She said she has had mud in her garage and the water from it is now entering her house.

Tucker said she was speaking on behalf of several of her elderly neighbors and people who couldn't get out to the meeting who oppose the development of this lot. She spearheaded a petition that was signed by 27 neighbors and presented to the commission.

 

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Tucker raised the water flow concern as well as providing a colored map that showed business locations and residences in contrasting colors. Her point was that businesses had encroached on the residential area, and this is zoned and intended as a residential area. "I don't want to live next to a business," she said.

Tucker also alerted that commission that if they approved the request and it moved to city council for approval, the neighbors will take it to court. They have already retained the counsel of Nick Burgrabe. "We feel that strongly," she said.

Lincoln Economic Development Director Jeff Mayfield addressed the commission, representing those who strive in economic development in our community. He said he recognized the difficulty in making a good decision on this matter.  

Mayfield pointed out that from the economic development standpoint, “Virtually every single thing that we do makes some people happy while at the same time making some people upset or angry.” He observed that the city council and county board have found that same thing.

“So,” he said, “I appreciate this forum. I'm glad that people with an ideal and a dream, as this family has had for a long time, and I'm glad that those who oppose can also come forward and voice that opposition.”

“We're behind you. We trust you. We know that you will make the right decision,” he said.

Chairman Betty Gehlbach requested a motion on the matter. After a lengthy silence from the commission they were reminded that a motion was needed to open discussion whether it was for or against the request.

John Guzzardo made a motion in favor of granting the rezoning. Supporting his motion, he said that there have been many eyesores along Fifth Street. Casey's was an improvement, and something on this property is going to be better. He added that we need jobs and here we have a new business.

Discussion which followed between the commission members recognized that there has been a water runoff problem with the property for many years. The city needs to deal with it. Any development of that particular property will add to it, whether it is residential or commercial, and with all the commercial properties it is highly unlikely that anyone would want to build a house there at any time in the future. 

Bill Bates said that are no city ordinances that address this issue specifically. General law says “that you can't run water where it doesn't naturally flow,” he said.

 In the course of discussions some solutions suggested were for the property owners to add the type of retaining wall that would regulate the rate of runoff and that the city might add curbs and gutters to control the direction of the water flow.  

Voting to rezone the property from R-2 to C-2 were Betty Gehlbach, Mike Morris, Scott Cooper, Clara Janet, Don Vincent, Don Miller, Bob Wood, Beth Davis, John Guzzardo and David Klug.

Ron Fox abstained due to conflict of interest. He is employed by the Goodman family.

The recommendation will go to the city council on Monday night. Bates said that it is on the agenda. People for or against it can come, and if the council wishes to address it, they will be given opportunity to speak.

[Jan Youngquist]

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