Property got rezoned for the new fire stationat the City Council meeting Tuesday night.

A lot on 401 N. Glenview and Sycamore was rezoned from a secondary business and medium density area to a BPL or planned business area, so the city can take the necessary steps to build a brand new fire station for Carbondale.

The vote passed unanimously.

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The council also spent an hour in debate whether it should accept or deny a request from a Carbondale citizen with property on Widdows Lane to rezone his 15 acres of property from general agriculture to rural residential so he could sell a home located on his land.

Residents of Widdows Lane came to the meeting to explain how the rezoning could result in an influx of traffic because it would allow the owner of the property to build houses on the land and rent them out in the future.

Jane Cussman, a resident of Widdows Lane, took the podium and explained she and her neighbors live in the area because of the seclusion, and the addition of the extra homes would certainly disrupt the serenity of the area.

“It would completely destroy what we consider home and what we love,” Cussman said. “The entire neighborhood is in opposition and we strongly and humbly request that you say no to this rezoning.”

The zoning request was denied and the only council member who voted in favor was Chris Wissmann.

Under another agenda item, an “opt out” program will be put on this November’s election ballot since it was approved by the council. If citizens vote in favor, the city will make a contract with an electricity provider that would supply energy for the city. At that point residents could “opt out” and stay with Ameren if they are already in business with them or choose a different supplier.

This program will not affect people who do business with Egyptian Electric, which makes up about 10 percent of the electricity in the city.

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Finally, a request to raise towing fees on any person who commits a crime with their vehicle was discussed.

The request stated that any individual who commits a crime that results in the towing of his or her car will be responsible for an additional fine of up to $400, depending on the severity of the crime.

For example, getting towed for a misdemeanor will result in an additional $200 fine on top of the $65 paid to the towing company.

Serious offenses such as a DUI will cost an additional $400, and the fines will be used for the purchase of police vehicles or equipment.

During council member comments Mayor Joel Fritzler proposed the city donate $100,000 to the funds being raised for the Carbondale splash park.

Councilman Don Monty suggested the park district annex a nearby arboretum into Carbondale if the funds were to be given to the park, but Fritzler said he wasn’t proposing the funds be given just so the council could “strong arm” the park district.

Austin Flynn can be reached at [email protected] or 536-3311 ext. 255.