The Webster County Planning and Zoning Commission met on Tuesday night. The topic of discussion centered around a proposal to rezone land to be used for commercial. The land in discussion is Hwy. 20 and Poplar Avenue.

Kevin Stumpf is the developer and is requesting the land to be rezoned. His plan is to put a gas station or travel center on the property. Stumpf addressed the commission and lad out his vision.

While Stumpf painted the project as a win for everyone involved, almost attending the meeting who lives in that area disagrees. Several residents in that area voiced their issues with the proposed development. Traffic safety seems to be the largest issue, with semi-truck traffic being heavy in that area. Residents feel a gas station at that intersection would increase risks. Tracy Faith lives in that area and has driven semi-trucks, he voiced his concerns.

Area residents also raised concerns that the new gas station would also cause their property value to decrease. One constant theme among people in that neighborhood, is that they like it their due to the serenity of that area. This development would take from that serenity.

The commission decided to table the discussion until a traffic safety study is completed by the DOT.