Dawn Rye | Writer
During last week’s Turner County commissioners meeting a motion was made to approve the second reading to rezone Peterson’s 6.67 acres to rural residential.
Turner Township landowner Chris Peterson explained he and his wife Tania own Peterson Construction, Peterson Properties and Evolution Spray Foam Insulation. He said in the past five years Peterson Construction has completed over $2 million worth of projects in Turner County and Peterson Properties’ annual revenue for Turner County is $154,200.00. Peterson explained the couple owns and operates 10 rental properties in Viborg, two four-plexes, two twin homes, one tri-plex, one single-family home, one residential bare lot and one 16 unit apartment complex. He commented on the tax total for the year in 2018 they paid $24,303 and in 2019 he paid $18,344 in Turner County.
Peterson said some of his plans moving forward are to speak with the Viborg Development Corporation about building on the twin home lots in the Western Hill Addition. He explained he owns a building on Broadway in Centerville that would be converted into a laundromat. Peterson noted a year and a half ago he proposed a 12- apartment complex in Centerville with the decision tabled due to zoning.
Peterson asked the board if he hypothetically deeded the land over to the county with the best interest of taxpayers what would be the best use for the 6.67 acres?
Neighbor Tim Austin said he doesn’t question Peterson’s ability on what he wants to do. He noted it comes back to does the neighborhood need six homes with the current road conditions.
“It’s an awful lot of homes in a little bit of area,” commented Austin.
Commissioner Jared Hybertson said from his perspective that since he’s been a commissioner over a year now, this is the first time he’s lost some sleep with a decision brought to the board. He noted this decision is a challenging one, he feels he is on the fence and that he could see both sides on how it would make sense and how neighbors don’t want another home there. Hybertson commented that either way the board has to make a decision and someone is going to be upset.
Commissioner Mick Miller said he agreed and that the situation is unfortunate that it or someone could get ugly.
Miller explained that in his process of thinking he reads, looks and processes a lot more then he should. He noted he chose to live in town and he doesn’t get to pick and choose his neighbors. Miller commented right now it is at a point where it’s more about winning versus what is the best situation for everyone and everyone has lost sight of the reasons.
Chairman Lyle VanHove said the two commissioners that sit on the planning and zoning board and the rest of the commissioners don’t know what was talked about. He explained the other commissioners are hearing information after the fact.
“I wish it would have never got to the attorney. I hate that when it’s I didn’t get my way so I run to an attorney. I feel like it is going to happen, here again, no matter which way we go,” said Miller.
Commissioner Mark Kaufman explained that he doesn’t like to have attorneys involved either in the decision making process. He said the decision-making should be amongst all the neighbors.
Miller encouraged everyone to find a common ground but that it wouldn’t be exactly what either side wants. He said it looks right now, “this side wants to win and this side wants to win.”
A roll call vote was taken to determine if the vote would be adopted in the ordinance and the vote failed to pass.
