The Heritage Square North rezoning request ordinance was approved at Manhattan’s City Commission meeting Tuesday.
The rezoning site is generally located north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 24 and South Port Drive, which is vacant ground currently being used for row crop agriculture.
Manhattan City Commissioner Michael Dodson wanted to know about the flood elevation affects on the Heritage Square North location. Questions included what happens to the surrounding areas and what happens if the water was filled to the east.
City Assistant Director for Planning Eric Cattell explained how the engineers calculate the process, saying those calculations do not remove the property adjacent to Heritage Square North out of the flood plan.
The request comes from MCM Properties LLC request to rezone a track of land east Manhattan. It was annexed back in 2007 but has not been rezoned to the city zone according to Cattell. Cattell adds the location is near a river around a drain providing drainage easement. However, Cattell says the area has been filled and can be built upon..
Also Tuesday night a health and wellness center on the west side of Manhattan was the focus of city commissioners with Manhattan’s Deputy City Manager, Jason Hilgers presenting on behalf of Genesis. The land involved is currently city property, according to Hilgers and there is a building on the property.
Hilgers told commissioners the site is currently encumbered by a waterline, running north and south almost splitting the lot. The ordinance was to address relocation of that waterline.
This is not unlike most city development agreements according to Hilgers. The city is not responsible unless oversizing of the waterline is requested.
The ordinance was approved on first reading.
