The Casey’s Store conflict in Pella resurfaced at the tail end of the most recent city council meeting.

A group of citizens asked the city to reconsider a rezoning ordinance for the land at the corner of Main and Union to match the comprehensive plan, a proposal similar to a request submitted in 2013.

Residents claim there is a new developer interested in the land, but could not reveal the identity, other than mentioning the prospective buyer has experience developing in the Sherman Hill area. City Council Member Mark De Jong responded to Rhonda Kermode, who made the proposal, by expressing frustration with many community members who have come out in opposition with “negativity.” Residents responded, arguing they were exhausting all available options to prevent the building of the store.

The council also heard additional concerns about a Casey’s store and its impact on their property, on recruitment at Central College, and safety. Similar issues were brought up at various board and council meetings since last fall by the same group living in a three-block radius of the lot in question.

Following a presentation during Policy and Planning, an engineer with RDG–the firm responsible for the city’s comprehensive plan adopted in 2014, was asked to give his opinion about the city’s possible direction. He understands the tough position city staff is in, but ultimately felt a gas station wouldn’t fit with downtown development.

Casey’s General Store is attempting to buy the land adjacent to the corner of Main and Union to build a larger store, replacing three locations currently in town. The property in question has been empty since houses were demolished a few years ago.

No additional meetings to resolve the matter have been scheduled in the short term after the city’s planning and zoning commission tied on a pair of votes in March and failed to make a recommendation on action in the city’s comprehensive plan for the city council. City staff says a provision in city code stating zoning and the city’s comprehensive plan must be in agreement, is the center of the conflict.