Planning & Zoning Commission approves plan to develop new residential spaces in downtown Salisbury
SALISBURY, Md. – After heated discussions at city hall, the Salisbury Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the potential development of residential apart complexes in downtown Salisbury. However, some community members have opposed the approval.
Thursday afternoon, community members, business owners, and local officials met for the planning and zoning meeting. Principal of the contracting company, Gillis Gilkerson Brad Willis is encouraged to see progress on the concepts.
“We’re excited, I think it’ll be a good thing for the community and a good thing for downtown. The planning commission had a lot of great input both in opposition and in favor and we’re excited for downtown and the future of our community.”
Gillis plans to build 3 apartment complexes on the west side of downtown Salisbury. Local realtor Holly Worthington spoke during the public comment session and felt uneasy about the final decision. “I’m not happy, I feel as though there was a predetermined outcome that was already in writing before we even stepped into that room.”
Worthington believes the entire process wasn’t done properly. She feels like the commission already had made its decision before announcing it.
“They knew going into this, how they were going to respond. With the city report, the staff report that the city did, recommend that they don’t move forward at this point, they didn’t even take into account what their officials were saying.”
Even through the controversy, Gillis tells WMDT, he’s excited about what this approval means for the downtown area. “This is one step forward, and it’s a big step forward for downtown. The future of our community is creating a livable walkable community with vibrant and robust amenities.”
Worthington on the other hand, vows that this is far from over, “Oh, this is going to be addressed, this is not the end all of this situation, I can tell you that.”
The development now has to pass through the City Council.
