The Blissfield Village Council is divided over a ‘land swap’ proposal made by a general store and gas station looking to develop property in the Village.
Casey’s General Store is planning to purchase property on Monroe Street and US 223 where there is currently a closed Frosty Boy, an office building, and an empty lot.
Blissfield Village Administrator Jim Wonacott told WLEN News that the company would like to own a parcel of the property in question that is currently owned by the Village… a park drive at the north end of Clara Bachmayer Park, off of Monroe Street.
In exchange, Casey’s would build a dedicated parking lot for the north end of Bachmayer Park.
At a special meeting Monday night, the Council voted on a resolution to deny the request for the ‘land swap’. With a council member absent, the vote turned out to be 3 to 3.
Three Council members were not in favor of the swap partially because of all of the citizens that attended their last meeting and spoke out against it. Residents said that they were concerned about increased truck traffic, gas tanks and the floodplain, and competition with existing business owners.
The three that were in favor cited the fact that the business would be bringing tax dollars to the Village, and would improve a site that was somewhat detrimental from an aesthetics perspective.
Administrator Wonacott said in order for a motion to be affirmed, there needs to be at least 4 votes. So technically, the motion was neither approved nor denied.
Wonacott expects Casey’s to come back to Council with a proposal for their next regular meeting in December, or a meeting in January.
The way zoning is set right now, Casey’s could continue with their plans to purchase the property… without the small parcel owned by the Village… and construct their store and gas station.
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