The DeWitt County Board Chair is defending the Board and believes all procedures were properly followed during a re-zoning process for a parcel of property just south of Clinton.

Dan Matthews tells Regional Radio the parcels of land were zoned for two different designations and the owner wanted them re-zoned to the same designation, RD1.

Matthes reminds there are policies and procedures the Board has to follow in matters like these and does not believe the claim that the process was abused is accurate.

According to Matthews, the rezoning process does not necessarily mean something is going to be developed on that property. He points out if the owner of the land wants to develop, he has to go through the exact same process to apply for that development.

One of the issues brought up to the County Board last week was the fact the owner of the property did not show up to the re-zoning hearing nor that they were available to answer questions to the nearby residents about their intentions for the re-zoning. 

Matthews believes the owner did not need to be in attendance pointing once again to the fact no plans were applied for therefore, they did not have anything to present.