SUMMERDALE - The Summerdale Town Council took into consideration two recommendations made by the planning commission during its November meeting. The planning commission recently recommended against two proposals at its prior meeting. One proposal was for a large annexation of property located behind the Ricken's Convenience Store area. The second proposal was to amend the B1 zoning to allow residential houses around Pioneer Park.

Mayor David Wilson said the annexation proposal was not recommended due to the developer not presenting a masterplan at the time of the meeting.

“The developer has not shown us what he’s planning on doing with the property, and right now there’s just a lot of rumors that are out there, speculation, a 600 plus house subdivision and things of that nature,” Wilson said. “With our cost factors being involved too, just to take on an annexation of that size and that magnitude we need to have our homework finished.”

The developer is in the process of creating a masterplan for the location. Wilson said once the planning commission and the town council have the opportunity to view the plans, the possibility of an annexation can be readdressed. The proposed location for annexation is contiguous to Summerdale’s current corporate limits.

“Right now it’s just a field, but the developers have big plans for that piece of property,” said Wilson. “You start getting properties of that size, that’s going to put a major tax on your water system and your public works department picking up all the trash, it has an effect. There is ad valorem taxes that come from annexations, but you have to weigh out where you’re at with that.”

The second proposal not recommended by the planning commission would have seen the B1 zoning ordinance amended to allow residential developments beside Pioneer Park. The current zoning has the area as a business corridor.

“I feel like it goes against all of the foundations that we’re trying to set in place for the downtown area for preservation,” Wilson said.