CHENEY – The council voted unanimously at the regular meeting on Feb. 28 to defer voting on the rezoning of a parcel in the north of the city, Ordinance Y-41, to the next regular council meeting.
Under the conditions that more information be provided by the developer and the owner of the parcel, the council deferred action on this ordinance.
The site which is being examined for re-zoning includes Presnell Mobile Home Park and is located at 2225 First Street. The ordinance would modify the city’s current comprehensive plan and convert the parcel to mixed-use and residential. It is currently zoned as commercial use.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, several residents of the Presnell Mobile Home Park gave comment.
“I’m pretty upset having to find out what’s going on through the news. I spent all the money I had buying a trailer. Now, I can’t afford to move it, and if I’d known that certain things were going to happen I wouldn’t have bought a trailer. I don’t want to be homeless.” Margaret Johnson said.
Another resident, Tracy Hawkins, said that Cheney reminds him of his home. “Where are we supposed to go? I got roots established. You’re talking about at least 100 people out in the streets.”
Douglas Brunell, another Presnell resident, said “I’m requesting that you deny Todd Tarbert request to rezone the property on humanitarian grounds. Being forced to leave would be a death sentence for me.”
Brunell then asserted that, on a phone call with Tarbert which he alleged took place on Feb. 14, Tarbert said that he was being pressured by the city to rezone his property.
Councilwoman Teresa Overhauser said in response “This is a topic that has come up more than once.
We have enforced the building codes in order to maintain safety, but this council has not pressured Todd (Tarbert).”
After public comments were heard, Cliff Tremble, a representative with Storehaug Engineering, in behalf of owner Todd Tarbert, gave a presentation of potential mixed-use and residential structures which could be built if Zoning moved forward.
Alex Durkin, also with Storehaug Engineering, said “We understand and appreciate the concerns of the residents. I would like to address some potential misunderstandings.”
Durkin said that the decision before the council that evening would not affect the mobile home park. “There is no current plan to develop the property. Perhaps it will remain as it is, but we have to know if the zoning support is there. The action tonight is not to change the mobile home park.”
Councilman Vincent Barthels commented that he would like to see a relocation plan for these residents before moving forward with amendments to the comprehensive plan.
“I think I speak for the council when I say that we really need to see a relocation plan for the current residents. I know you say that this rezoning decision doesn’t imply that any development will take place, but I don’t think that the owner would’ve brought this forward if he didn’t have a plan. We have to take care of this population.”
This ordinance will be presented again at the council’s next regular meeting, currently scheduled to take place on Mar. 14.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
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