Residents, builders conflict over proposed rezoning in Jefferson Co. that may carry a Love’s journey cease

MONTICELLO, Fla. (WCTV) – A proposed rezoning request that may carry a Love’s Travel Stop to Jefferson County took middle stage throughout a packed Planning Commission assembly Thursday evening.

Residents on each side of the problem shared their ideas as builders push to construct a Love’s Travel Stop, together with an extra 200,000 sq. ft of non-residential improvement on a 49-acre parcel.

Many residents spoke towards the challenge, saying they’re involved about the way it might change the agricultural character of the realm.

“Many of us choose to live here because it is rural,” stated Jefferson County resident Rachel Harmen. “We do not want the increased traffic, noise, light pollution that often accompany commercial development.”

Others argued the challenge would carry financial advantages to the county.

“I just think that this is a really good opportunity for Jefferson County because it is pushed up against the interstate, and I would hope that you support it,” stated Jefferson County resident Will Messer.

More information out of the Big Bend:

The proposed change would rezone the property from Mixed Use Suburban Residential to Mixed Use Interchange Business. The property is situated off I-10 Exit 217, behind the Subway and Shell fuel station.

Developers stated the challenge wouldn’t negatively affect surrounding developments.

“This development does not affect the other developments in that area. It is just on the south side of I-10. A lot more noise [comes] from I-10 or Heritage Hill than it’ll be from me,” stated Arun Kundra, President and CEO of Eshden Partner LLC and the land developer.

Developers additionally stated the challenge would create about 90 jobs. Jefferson County Commissioner Gene Hall spoke in help of that risk.

“We need jobs, bottom line, we need jobs in this county. We cannot change what happens in the past, but we need jobs,” Hall stated.

After listening to from residents and builders, the Planning Commission voted 4-3 to advocate denying the appliance to amend the county’s complete plan.

“To me, unfortunately, the failures of our code, which we can’t fix, and the lack of detail in the application, it gives me a lot of concern,” stated Byron Arceneaux with the Jefferson County Planning Development Commission.

The Planning Commission’s vote is just a advice. The ultimate choice might be made by the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners when it takes up the problem at its assembly subsequent month.

Commissioner Hall, who attended Thursday’s assembly, stated he plans to help the challenge.

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