Vermilion City Council approves rezoning sought by developers

VERMILION — City Council heard arguments Monday evening for and against the rezoning of more than 119 acres that could allow for a major development on the property, then voted unanimously in favor of the rezoning. The area in question is at the northwest intersection of Baumhart Road and state Route 2. Currently zoned a combination of highway commercial and light industrial, the rezoning will move all of the 119.60 acres to an I-1 light industrial district. Mayor Jim Forthofer said two companies are partnering for the project: Sterling Group from Detroit and Hillwood, a Perot Company from Dallas. The companies approached the city in late summer, he said. The mayor said now that the rezoning has gone through, the companies can lock down the occupant, which some attendees believed could be an e-commerce distribution facility based on the clients the developers have worked with. However, Forthofer said that is just speculation at this point. So many residents squeezed into Council Chambers to either speak about the controversial issue or to listen that some could not find a chair to sit in. Those who opposed the proposal cited multiple reasons, including concerns about the possibility of additional traffic, pollution and noise near their homes. Some said they moved to the area specifically for the quiet atmosphere — an atmosphere they now fear is in jeopardy. To demonstrate his concern about noise from commercial vehicles, resident Milo Hildebrandt brought a back-up alarm into Council Chambers and activated it while addressing Council members from the lectern. He was asked to turn it off because a member of Council could not hear his concerns over the loud beeping. Resident Anne Palmer of Cooper Foster Park Road said she was worried about noise and believes it is hard to support the proposal without knowing specifically what it will be. She said many residents have speculated that the project will be an Amazon facility. "I'm not against development, I'm against this particular project," Palmer said. Thomas Palmer also spoke in opposition. He encouraged Council members to vote "no" on the legislation and said a referendum would be looked at if they did not vote against the project. Supporters expressed a belief that the proposal would bring large numbers of well-paying jobs to Vermilion and provide economic benefits to the city through property and payroll tax. "Young people in this town need opportunity, they need something, and I don't see a lot of things coming our way like this," said John Gabriel, who supported the project. Cliff German, a resident and owner of German's Villa banquet hall, also supported the rezoning. He said he believes the project would bring 1,000 well-paying jobs to Vermilion and surrounding communities, in addition to employment opportunities that could come from "satellite businesses" that could pop up because of it. The "critically needed project" would breathe new life into the area, German said. Addressing concerns about possible pollution, resident Mike Haines said the Environmental Protection Agency will surely have zero tolerance to anything not conforming to standards. He compared the proposal to the "proverbial brass ring" that the city should grab to move the community and its infrastructure forward. During his report in the Council meeting following the hearing, Forthofer said he supports the rezoning because he believes it is best for the most residents. Councilman Frank Loucka, 2nd Ward, said the land in question has been zoned as a combination of light industrial and highway commercial for at least two decades prior to Monday's vote. Many residents of Vermilion and the surrounding communities voiced their opinions in advance of the public hearing by sending letters. Council President Steven Herron read the names of 70 people who submitted supportive letters and 30 who submitted letters in opposition prior to Monday's meeting. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.