WORTHINGTON -- Following the second public hearing in as many weeks regarding zoning of the one-half mile area surrounding Worthington's city limits, Nobles County Planning & Zoning commissioners approved the new land use and zoning maps and ordinance Wednesday night.
The ordinance and maps will now go before the Nobles County Board of Commissioners on April 8 for final approval.
Wayne Smith, director of Nobles County Environmental Services, presented newly altered maps during Wednesday night's meeting -- changes made since public comment was given at the March 12 meeting.
"We wanted to impact as few parcels and as few properties as possible," Smith said of changes made to two specific areas of the proposed zoning.
One of the changes was that land along Airport Road, where Sorensen Sprayers Inc., is located will remain highway business. The initial proposal called for zoning the land as an agriculture preservation district, but was changed after owner Dale Molitor cited concerns.
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The second change presented at Wednesday's meeting was the reduction of land zoned for R-3, development of medium density residential housing, along the southeast edge of the community. With the change, the proposed industrial zone was lengthened, and a buffer was established between the two. At the same time, the industrial zone was also made smaller along the city's east side.
"We cut down the industrial zone ... because there hasn't been a lot of development," Smith said, adding that the land removed from the industrial zone will remain in an agricultural zone.
"By zoning less land, we give the landowners the best of both worlds," he said. As land is sold, the zoning would be converted, and the land would need to be used for its zoned purpose.
In addition to the changes made in the map, the task force changed language in the ordinance to allow landowners in the proposed zoning areas to alter their residence. The language states, "Residences of record in B-1 Highway Business and I-1 Industry zones on the date of adoption may be increased in size up to 50 percent."
Absentee landowner Clair Calvin, who owns approximately 330 acres in Section 19 of Lorain Township, traveled from California to raise concerns regarding the zoning changes. He and his wife plan to restore the building site on the farm along Nobles County 5 that has been in the family since 1929. Calvin cited concerns with the I-1 Industry zone that covers the entire parcel.
"I'm not as worried about eminent domain as I am about getting annexed into the city," he said. "A willing seller is not what we plan to be.
"My wife and I have a deep feeling for the farm, and we want to keep it as an agricultural half-section as long as I live and beyond that," he added.
Smith said the proposed zoning changes can only be made on land where there is a willing seller. If the Calvins aren't willing sellers, there's nothing to worry about.
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"I think if the county could assure you your land wouldn't be (taken) by eminent domain, it would," Smith said. "The city annexing it and taking it by eminent domain is not something we can block."
Smith reiterated that the zoning changes and ordinance were established to help the city and county plan for future growth.
"It isn't because the city is going to annex anything, or that a business is wanting to come in and develop land," he added.
Dan Bogie of Worthington credited Smith, the members of the joint jurisdictional task force and the Nobles County Planning and Zoning Commission for the work they put into the zoning changes. He said the plan went from appearing to be a city steamroller to getting whittled down to something acceptable.
"It's restored a certain amount of my faith in the process," Bogie said. "Wayne and the crew have done a lot of work, and I think it's nice that we were listened to."
