Mayor Brandi Harless said the delay will allow city officials to explore some possible ways to alleviate flooding concerns while still going ahead with the project.
"The main reason for the delay is that I've come across in the last 24 hours honestly, some ideas on how we might could protect the citizens while also having the development take place." Harless said, adding that she would talk to the developers of the property before specific ideas could be discussed.
Harless called a meeting Monday evening at Heartland Worship Center to meet with residents of the affected neighborhood to hear their concerns about potential flooding in the area that might be exacerbated by the proposed 100 bed facility.
"What you see is your city government in its truest form. There are citizens that have some really deep concerns about the water issue." said Commissioner Richard Abraham. Abraham said he wanted it to be clear that the discussion was not a knock against the facility, but it was about making sure that the citizens know the city is not rushing to a decision.
Site owner Chris Burnett spoke during the meeting, saying retention ponds might be a good option to deal with excess runoff.
"We certainly do not want to cause an issue in that area, but we feel like there can be retention ponds," Burnett said. Burnett said he has worked hard with the assisted living group and the realtors on the project.
The proposed rezoning would change the property from R1 (low density residential), to R4 (high density residential), which would allow the 77,300 square foot facility to be built there. The change request is coming from CDB Service Finance, LLC.
Earlier in April, the planning commission held a public hearing with residents and the developer, where it was recommended that the zoning change pass. It then went before the city commission for a first reading. Some residents voiced concerns about flooding at that meeting. The final vote was to take place the following week, but was delayed to allow more time to consider the issue and listen to concerns from the public.
Commissioners are set to vote on the measure at their May 9 meeting.
