is a contract that all seven of the landowners have signed that binds them to sell all of their property as one entity to one developer and that there are details in the contract that are not being made public – a point that didn’t seem to go over very well with those in attendance who oppose the plan. What he could share was that they want C1 and C2 commercial designation. C2 would be on the west end of the property and would be a building for retail and service-type businesses. To the east would be office buildings which are designated as C1. He emphasized that there would be no fast food or gas stations going up on the land. Byers said any building plan would be sensitive to the surrounding neighbors, a comment that was met with groans by the 50 or so members of the audience. He told the commission that it would not be a big-box retail store, it would have a pitched roof, it would be constructed of stone with upgraded signage and lighting, and that there would be a buffer brick wall on the backside and a mound on the eastern flank. He said they were open to keeping a tree buffer and that there would be a retention area built to deal with drainage issues. When the Commission president opened up the meeting for remarks from any interested parties, there was no shortage of hands that went up from the crowd. In all, about ten residents addressed the Commission. Some came prepared with written remarks, some brought maps and other visual aids, others brought signed petitions, but most just spoke from the heart about what the area means to them and how they don’t want to see it altered. Many of those who made remarks either back up to the property in question or look at it from across the street. They fear that commercial development will spoil the natural beauty of the area, will inevitably create more parking that cannot be hidden by walls and plants, and will,
eventually, harm their property values. Jim Allan, who has lived in Geist Woods for many years, was the first of many who pointed out that there are already three commercial buildings west of the land that have nine vacancies, and he questioned the need for more commercial property. Others mentioned that since the roundabout was built, traffic has been flowing well through the area. However, they are concerned that if more commercial property is added, it will add more traffic. This could undo the positive impact of the new and improved road and could be a safety hazard for children in the area. Several people commented on how they now have a beautiful back yard and if a new strip mall goes up,
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