The Pella City Council denied a site plan for a new Casey’s General Store on a 1-4 vote at their meeting Tuesday night.

The rejection means the location can not be built as it stands. Casey’s could file an appeal to the Iowa District Court to have a ruling overruled.

That denial came after they narrowly approved an amendment on a 3-2 vote to change the comprehensive plan to match commercial zoning already in place for the property at the corner of Main and Union Street. This means other properties fitting under mixed commercial uses can be built, so long as their site plan is approved through the proper boards in the city.

Councilmember Dan Vander Beek abstained during both votes due to his relation with the property owner on advice of the city’s legal counsel.

Dozens of citizens spoke throughout the four-plus hour meeting, a vast majority that were passionately against both the site plan and the amendment change. They also revealed the identity of another interested party in the lot at request of the council — Hatch Development Group in Des Moines.

Casey’s could not immediately be reached for comment, as representatives left the meeting immediately following the failed resolution of the site plan proposal.