The Chandler City Council voted to rezone plots near the OnCue gas station on First Street from General Residential to General Commercial at their regular meeting on Jan. 13, allowing for future expansion.
The vote was split, with Councilmembers Robin Crouch (Ward 4) and Ben Myers (Ward 3) voting no, while David Burgess (Ward 2), Rick Evans (Ward 1) and Mayor Kent McVey voted yes. The rezoning affects 114 N. Iowa Ave, 122 N. Iowa Ave., 125 N. Dewey Ave. and 500 E. 1st Street.
During the public hearing section of the meeting, representatives from the company presented a site plan. They intend to build a new, bigger store with a drive-thru and then tear down the original building, which was built in 1983. There will be seven pumps located at the front of the property, with another three north of the building, all of which will be covered by canopies. They also intend to set the locations of driveways to safely direct traffic in and out of the station.
Several nearby residents and property owners spoke out against the decision, citing concerns that the expansion of the gas station would lower property values. They also expressed complaints about light and noise pollution and the increased traffic congestion in the area. They worry that the neighborhood is disappearing and won’t be safe for children with the increased traffic to the business.
Following that decision, the Council voted to name the basketball court at Reed Park after the Washburn family. A petition with 260 names supporting the move was submitted, following the new naming guidelines set out by the City Council. The Council felt the petition reached the threshold and that the Washburn family deserved the recognition for the many years they have taken care of the park area.
The City Council entered into executive session to discuss with city counsel the sale of real estate property. When they returned, they voted unanimously to authorize City Manager Jason Orr to pansion plan.
The Chandler Municipal Authority held its regular meeting right before the Council meeting, where they voted to accept the FY 2024 Audit Report by Andy Cromer, a CPA with HSPG & Associates.
There were some issues, mostly with the City’s standardized assets, though Cromer attributed that mostly to issues in record-keeping. Some assets were listed multiple times, while others were gotten rid of but kept on the books. Cromer stated that the books were now good and the City should have no issues.
The CMA voted to table a decision on License and Utility Relocation Agreements with the OTA. It is conducting about a half mile of improvements along the Turner Turnpike near SH 18, which will add ramps and widen the current roads. In order to do that, OTA requested that Chandler relocate utilities out of the construction zone. OTA will cover 100 percent of the costs.
The CMA agrees to the project; however wanted to edit some of the language in the contract before accepting it.