Vermilion residents who oppose large development project seek referendums

VERMILION — A group of Vermilion residents who oppose a recent rezoning effort near Baumhart Road and state Route 2 have submitted documents seeking a referendum that would leave the final decision up to voters. Petitions were presented Monday during a meeting of Vermilion City Council. Two referendums are sought — one on the rezoning of 119 acres from a combination of highway commercial and light industrial to entirely I-1 light industrial, and another regarding increasing the maximum permissible height of a building in an I-1 light industrial district. Thomas Palmer, a resident who lives near the site, said 569 signatures were collected on referendum petitions for the rezoning ordinance, while 539 signatures were collected on referendum petitions for the zoning code amendment related to maximum building height. Both pieces of legislation were unanimously approved Dec. 13 by members of City Council, but Palmer said the purpose of seeking a referendum is to give residents the final say. Developers wanted the rezoning approved for the purpose of building a large facility on the property, but the identity of a prospective occupant has not been revealed. Mayor Jim Forthofer, who supports the rezoning, said Thursday the facility could be a warehouse distribution center, about 1 million square feet in size and employing close to 1,000 people. Without knowing exactly what business could be moving in near their property, neighbors have been left to speculate. Many fear the development would permanently alter their rural lifestyle by bringing nonstop noise, traffic and potential pollution. "It is too massive a proposal," Palmer said. "It will just destroy my country life. The traffic will be horrible around here." His neighborhood includes numerous homes, but also large open fields where crops like corn and soybeans are farmed. However, Palmer is already contemplating changes he might make if the referendums fail. "I'm going to probably quit farming some of my acreage so I can let it go back to trees to block out what I'm going to see," he said. Palmer was among a group of residents who attended public meetings to listen and speak about the proposal before it was voted on by Council and the Planning Commission. Though residents are permitted to speak at meetings, he said there was a lack of dialogue with the city or developers about the proposal. Forthofer, however, said the developers attended the public meetings, listened to residents and intended to have meetings with the concerned citizens to accommodate their concerns related to setbacks, buffers and other matters. The mayor said he has "no doubt" residents will vote in favor of the rezoning and zoning amendment, assuming the referendums successfully reach the ballot. In the meantime, he said city officials are trying to talk with the developers about waiting until then, when they can move forward. Forthofer still believes the project would be good for Vermilion. "I think it's a game changer for the city. My job as mayor is to do the best for the most, and this, without a doubt, is the best for the most," he said. "... The potential of this development, it changes the complexion of Vermilion as far as economics go. It makes us totally viable to address our infrastructure needs, and we have tons of them staring us in the face." The referendum petitions have not been verified yet. Forthofer said they will spend 10 days with the city finance director in case anyone wants their name removed, then it will go to the Board of Elections where they will have 10 days to verify the names. Once the signatures are approved and the petitions are deemed valid, he said the rezoning will be frozen until the November election. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.