WEBSTER CITY, Iowa (AP) - The City Council in Webster City has rejected a plan to sell a portion of a city park, heeding the pleas from residents who filled the meeting chamber at City Hall.
A public hearing was held during the council meeting Monday night about a proposal to sell 1.25 acres (0.51 hectares) of East Twin Park to The Overland Group, a developer from Birmingham, Alabama. Its plan was to build a Dollar General store at the site, The Messenger reported.
The 60 audience seats were occupied before the meeting began Monday night, and some people who lined the sides of the council chamber held hand-lettered signs that said “Save the park” and “Webster City is not for sale.”
Nearly 30 people spoke against the sale; no member of the public rose in its favor.
Council member Logan Welch spoke against a motion to table the sale resolution so city officials could talk to the developer about alternatives.
“We just heard some of the most emotional statements we’ve ever heard in the six years I’ve been on the council … we can turn this down now,” Welch said. “Let’s do the right thing here tonight, people.”
The council then voted 5-0 against the proposal.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.