Staff Report, Rezoning in Farmland Preservation Area for a Racetrac Gas Station

Analyzing a straight rezoning request to change an 11.06-acre parcel, firmly situated in the Farmland Preservation Area from it's Agriculture zoning to Rural Commercial zoning, which was inconsistent with its Rural Land land use designation. The Applicant wished to rezone to Rural Commercial in order to allow for a Racetrac gas station, inclusive of semi truck refueling stations. After several community activist groups and hundreds of citizens organized in opposition, the Applicant's Attorney advised that a Developer's Agreement would be the appropriate answer to the uproar. Two highly contentious public hearings were held, which involved testimony from attorneys and expert witnesses, after which, both the Planning Commission and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners ultimately agreed with staff's recommendation of Denial. Here is the staff report.