Shelbyville’s Common Council will make the final decision on whether the annexation of approximately 33 acres on the city’s east side happens for Genesis Property Development.

The Shelbyville-based developer is working with a client to purchase the land, which is mostly farm land, for the creation of an industrial park along East State Road 44, nearly a mile from the Interstate 74 exit.

If the annexation and rezoning is approved, it will go against an unfavorable recommendation from the city’s Plan Commission that happened Monday night at City Hall.

At the center of the discussion is the long-established Woodland Village mobile home park that is part of the property in play.

Several residents of Woodland Village, who cited family members with disabilities and fixed incomes, as well as several surrounding neighbors concerned with drainage and traffic concerns appeared before the Plan Commission Monday to ask what happens to them.

Ron Kelsay, representing Genesis Property Development, did not name the prospective client interested in the property. He did state that the client is interested in more than just one business transaction in Shelbyville.

Kelsay also could not inform the Plan Commission of potential uses for the property as the project is speculative at this point. The land is currently zoned A1 (conservation agriculture). The goal is to change the zoning to IG (general industrial).

“We don’t have a specific project that we are bringing forward at this point,” said Kelsay when asked by Joanne Bowen, a member of the plan commission as well as the city’s Common Council. “At the point we have a specific project we will bring it through the proper channels.

“Generally speaking, we want to create an industrial park which is the purpose for the IG zoning. It is currently in the county and we have an interest in hooking up to sanitary and sewer with the city, so to do that we need to annex the property.”

Genesis Property Development has a contract agreement in place with multiple owners of the 33 acres in question, including Coers Limited Liability Company III that owns the 5-plus acres of land where Woodland Village sits.

“I will say even at this juncture where we are still developing plans and trying to put this whole thing together, there have been significant discussions about the mobile home park and what to do with it,” said Kelsay following the public comment portion of the meeting. “And also looking ahead if something needs to happen to it or, at that point, what do we do? How do we take care of people? How do we help them?

“At this point, I can’t give you all the answers. I can’t lay out a specific plan because it is still a little too early for that, but I will say we are keenly aware of the sensitivities and these are people’s homes.”

The city’s plan staff recommendation was to forward a favorable recommendation on the zoning classification.

The motion for an unfavorable recommendation was made by Gary Nolley and seconded by Bowen.

The next Common Council meeting is July 6 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 44 W. Washington St.