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properly permitted site preparations, has expressed an interest in developing a concrete batch plant in
<br />the future, and has actively participated in West Gifford initiative meetings.
<br />During the summer of 2009, staff received several inquiries from residents of the Gifford community
<br />regarding the Prestige site plan approval. According to those residents, Gifford community members
<br />had not been aware of the concrete plant site plan and had concerns about the proposed plant.
<br />On August 19, 2009, community development staff met with Gifford Progressive Civic League
<br />representatives, NAACP representatives, and Commissioner Joseph Flescher. At that meeting, staff
<br />explained the process involved with review and approval of the Prestige site plan. Staff also noted
<br />that, because the Prestige property was zoned IG and because a concrete plant is a permitted use in
<br />the IG district, the county was required to approve the concrete plant site plan once the applicant
<br />demonstrated that his site plan application complied with all applicable county codes.
<br />Subsequent to the August 19, 2009 meeting, Joe Idlette, III, president of the Progressive Civic
<br />League of Gifford, sent a letter to Community Development Director Robert Keating, requesting that
<br />the county rezone all IG property in Gifford to IL (Light Industrial). According to that letter, the
<br />Progressive Civic League was concerned that concrete plants and other similar IG uses would have
<br />health, pollution, and safety impacts on the community. On September 25, 2009, Mr. Keating
<br />responded to Mr. Idlette's letter, indicating that the rezoning request would be presented to the Board
<br />for its consideration. On November 10, 2009, the Board considered a report and presentation from
<br />Mr. Keating as well as comments from concerned area residents. After discussion, the Board
<br />directed staff to perform research, work with Gifford community leaders and the community in
<br />general regarding county regulation changes that address community concerns, and report back to the
<br />Board with recommendations.
<br />Consistent with the Board's direction, staff met with the "Gifford Executive Group" six times
<br />between December 2009 and August 2010. The group originally consisted of Commissioner
<br />Flescher, Michael Zito, Joe Idlette III, Tony Brown, Freddy Woolfork, Donald Hart, and Helene
<br />Caseltine. After initial meetings, Mary McKinney, Vernon Reason, and Jeff Thompson (Vero
<br />Millworks) also participated in Executive Group meetings.
<br />Over the course of the meetings, the group reviewed staff research and analysis on land use, zoning,
<br />and various development regulation alternatives to address community concerns. Based on that
<br />information and analysis, staff, in coordination with the Executive Group, then drafted a set of
<br />development regulation changes for the 163 acre portion of West Gifford currently zoned IG.
<br />Throughout that process, Gifford residents provided input during community -wide meetings that
<br />were held in Gifford in February and July 2010 to obtain community input.
<br />Staff and the Executive Group then reported back to the Board with analysis and recommendations
<br />that addressed community land use and zoning concerns about the West Gifford area. The Board
<br />considered those recommendations and authorized initiation of the WGIC district rezoning process at
<br />its September 14, 2010 meeting.
<br />\w On October 21, 2010, staff notified affected property owners and interested parties and conducted a
<br />public workshop to present the draft WGIC district regulations and obtain input, especially from
<br />affected property owners. At the workshop, property owners strongly objected to eliminating any
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