9/18/12 UPDATE: Mayor Thodos tells KWQC the council passed the rezoning of the land for the Matcon Project. The mayor says the property owner can sell her land to the trucking company.
9/4/12 UPDATE: East Moline city leaders vote to table a proposal to rezone land to make way for a new trucking company. Residents packed into council chambers Tuesday nights to voice their concerns of additional truck traffic and impacting wetlands. Because of some confusion over neighbors receiving notice letters on the rezoning process, city leaders voted to table the issue until September 17th.
Monday, September 3, 2012 story: A trucking company could soon set up shop in East Moline, bringing more than 100 jobs to the area. It's good news for many, but for some neighbors of the company, it's one more thing they don't want in their backyard.
The "Matcon Project" as its being called by the city, will go in a cornfield right in between Jacobs Sports Park and the neighborhood along 4th Avenue. There is an industrial park already across the street from the site and city leaders said the new trucking company will continue their long term plan to expand business in the area. However, homeowners said that is the last thing they want.
"When my husband bought this place back in 1990, we bought it because it was outside of city limits," Resident Lory DuPrey said.
DuPrey said ever since then the city has been creeping up on them, from annexing their neighborhood soon after they moved in, to expanding the current industrial park, to forcing them to hook up to an expensive city sewer system. She said this is the last straw.
"It's going to be six trucks an hour for 12-16 hours a day and 3rd shift they'll be operating that, meanwhile he's going to buy all the land behind us."
DuPrey said the woods behind her house and others make up wetlands. She said she is afraid they, along with her peaceful backyard, will be destroyed if the business takes over. She is also worried her property value could be affected.
"I don't believe once they surround us in concrete we will able to give these homes away, we worked our whole life for this house."
It's not just their homes residents are worried about, traffic is also a big concern.
"You actually do see people using the sides of the road. I see dogs, people pushing baby strollers, I ride my bike out there," Resident Joseph Richardson said.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has already unanimously approved rezoning the land from agricultural to industrial to make way for the trucking company. The city council will take a final vote on it Tuesday night. Mayor John Thodos said while he understands people's concerns, it's something the city desperately needs.
"Do we want jobs in the city? Do we have enough jobs in the city? I would say no. Do we have enough revenue in the city? No. We are trying to bring jobs and revenue to the city," he said.
Neighbors said the company has altered their plans to include preserving the wetlands. However, they still have a petition with about 50 signatures on it asking the city not go through with the plans. They will be voicing their concerns at Tuesday's meeting.
