34th and Fairlawn back on Council agenda
4:32 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2008
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City Council members will get their first look tonight at an ordinance proposing a zoning change to commercial development.
Neighbors were able to stop two previous proposals for the land. Developer Gene Jani says he is willing to sit down with them and go over plans for the property. Neighbors say their issue isn't with the developer. They worry about future of the property.
"It goes through, the way he's proposed, it's like giving a blank check to whoever owns that land to do whatever they want."
Gene Jani says he's ready to move on.
"The most frustrating part about this is you support the city of Topeka and try to help move this town in a positive fashion and a very select few oppose petition and kill great projects," he says.
Jani says he will put eight houses along the back of these neighbors homes as a compromise. The plan also includes flower and coffee shops.
Neighbors have filed complaints of possible ethics violations by two Council members.
These letters suggest Brett Blackburn and Jeff Preisner should not have voted on this in the past.
Blackburn had business dealings with Jani.
Preisner's son worked for Jani.
Blackburn says he has not violated any ethical or legal guidelines.
And Preisner says his son no longer works for Brainstorm Development.
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