Debate lasted an hour before the Austin City Council finally approved a controversial request by Ronald and Lori Wieseler to rezone and locate his used car dealership at 25th Street SW and Oakland Avenue West.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

Debate lasted an hour before the Austin City Council finally approved a controversial request by Ronald and Lori Wieseler to rezone and locate his used car dealership at 25th Street SW and Oakland Avenue West.

The property will be rezoned from an R-2 multifamily residence district to a B-2 community business district.

It also was necessary for the council to amend the city’s comprehensive plan, changing the future land use for the Wieseler property from low-density residential to arterial commercial.

Community Development Director Craig Hoium told the council that the Planning Commission approved the conditions of the permit adding that some conditions were covered under city ordinances such as the requirement that no business be conducted within 50 feet of the residential district and that a 6-foot barrier be constructed.

Business owners and residents voiced objections and support at the public hearings that preceded the vote.

Resident Howard Keller said he owns two parcels of land on the residentially zoned land just east of the proposed used car dealership. He said he preferred to have the land remain R-2 because he felt changing it to B-2 it would decrease the value of his land, mentioning that there might be glaring lights from the business.

Bob Helmers, owner of Kar Korner at 14th Street NW and Eighth Avenue NW, said he felt the council needed to treat all requests for rezoning equally. He was referring to his request to have the property he owns behind his dealership rezoned from residential to commercial, which was denied by a previous council.

Council member Dick Lang said the Wieselers’ land was zoned R-2 as a buffer because of the land to the east was being developed.

"Now I’m not going to put up a $200,000 or $300,000 home right across the street from it," Lang said. "So, that stops the growth of the R-1 in that area. I think one business is as good as another business. … I want to be fair to all."

Lang added: "I feel very strongly that where there was prior Planning Commissions that denied this, prior councils that denied this, I have to go along with their wisdom."

Jean Poppe had a difficult time with her decision but said the request for a zoning change seems to fit the zoning pattern of the area. Both ordinances were approved by 5-2 votes, with council members Dick Lang and Wayne Goodnature voting no.

Following the vote, council member Gloria Nordin recommended that Helmers resubmit his request for a zoning change to the council.

Mayor Bonnie Reitz added, "I think all of you who are here this evening and those watching it on video can see what democracy is like. Most assuredly you saw tonight where we go back and forth and most often it’s not a clear-cut answer. But a decision needs to be made and you saw the process tonight."

In other business, the council unanimously approved participation in a joint power authority with Albert Lea and Freeborn and Mower counties to apply for state bonding funds to construct a bike trail between the eastern edge of the Blazing Star Bike Trail and the city of Austin.

Reitz told the council that the 16-mile project will cost $2.5 million, of which will be funded by the state. She also said that when the project is complete, the state Department of Natural Resources would take over maintenance of the trail.

Call Ailene Dawson at 434-2235 or e-mail her at ailene.dawson@austindailyherald.com.