StormStang

PLAINFIELD-- The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 3-2 Monday night to rezone about 900 acres off Interstate 395 exits 87 and 88 for inclusion in the recently established resort/recreational development zone.

The decision is certain to prompt additional appeals -- racetrack opponents "guaranteed" more will be filed shortly. But, it also cleared the way for New England Raceway LLC developer Gene Arganese to proceed with his plans for the multi-million-dollar, 140,000-seat domed raceway he plans to build off Lathrop Road.

The motion approved by the commission excluded about 218 acres owned by people who had made it clear they did not want their property rezoned. The 17 parcels excluded from the C-5 zone included several between Lathrop, Kate Downing and Pratt roads, others south of Kate Downing and west of Lathrop Road and one on Plainfield Pike between Route 14-A and Dow Road.

Arganese has said he plans to use the land off Exit 88 along Plainfield Pike for off-site parking.

The commission's decision came despite a lengthy argument from member John Meyer that the action was not consistent with Plainfield's Plan of Conservation and Development. Meyer was one of two members who voted against the rezoning.

"If you approve this the way it is," Meyer admonished his fellow commissioners, "you're going to get nailed for spot zoning."

Arganese said he would not let the prospect of legal challenges to the decision delay his plans to move forward on the project. Six appeals have been filed challenging the commission's decision to create the C-5 zone.

"We'll be calling our planning people in the morning," Arganese said. "We'll have documents authorizing them to begin the design work by next Monday or Tuesday."

He estimated it will take about five months to design the project. He hopes to be ready to bring specific plans to the commission by January.

Arganese said the land deleted from the rezoning would not affect his project.

"It was land we didn't have under contract," he said. "Besides, I'm negotiating with a couple of other people for land that could take care of what we might need."

While Arganese was obviously pleased with the decision, leaders of two opposition groups were equally pleased with the close 3-2 vote.

"Because he (Arganese) didn't get a super majority that we petitioned for, this will work to our benefit in the appeals," Kenneth Smiley, president of the Stop the Track group, said.

The commission at its last meeting rejected the petition from opponents that would have required a super majority -- four affirmative votes -- to rezone any land.

"Now we have a case," Dave Ertsgard, president of Concerned Citizens for the Quiet Corner, said.

Smiley said his group believes the C-5 zone is "a horrible thing.

"Now, you're going to have 400-foot-high buildings next to 30-foot-high buildings. It will be a mess," he said.

John Dubois, who also voted against the rezoning, tried to broker a compromise before the vote. He suggested land off Kate Downing Road be excluded from the area to be rezoned. He recommended the rezoned land be restricted to the area along Lathrop and Pratt Roads already zoned for commercial or industrial use, along with some residential property on Lathrop Road up to Kate Downing Road.

After the vote, Dubois said while he supports development, he's concerned about the impact of a 425-foot-high building on property beyond the new zone.

But he also took a forward approach to the decision.

"Now we've got to work hard to make this project work for Plainfield," he said.

Commission Chairwoman Gloria Rizer, who joined members Dennis Jolley and Nelson Lemieux in supporting the rezoning, said she put aside personal feelings and voted for what she believes is best for the town.

"If I base my decisions on personal feelings, I shouldn't be on the board," Rizer said. "If New England Raceway fails, we'll still have a C-5 zone available to other developers."

Rizer said 80 percent of the people who contacted her prior to the vote by phone or letter supported the rezoning.