Rielly on the Rezoning of the Five Star Industrial Park

Almost a year after parrying Mayor Chuluda's push for a rezoning of the Five Star Industrial Park to halt Pike Industries' plans to expand its quarry on Spring Street, the City Council voted last night to begin the rezoning process. In an e-mail, City Council President Brendan Rielly (D-Ward 1) explains what changed since last March:

A year ago, it was clear that the parties had not
spent any significant time actually talking to each other and trying to find a
resolution. It was also clear that a number of businesses in that area were
concerned about how and whether the proposed rezoning would affect them. We
tabled the matter to give our staff time to meet with the other businesses and
make changes to the language, but principally to give the parties involved time
and encouragement to try to find areas of agreement. As I said again last night,
it always better to have a resolution by agreement than one imposed on you.
Councilors met with the different parties affected (commercial and residential)
and encouraged them all to talk. Unfortunately, no agreement was reached and so
it's time to move the process forward.

- John C.L. Morgan

Disclosure: My wife is employed at Idexx.