It was an action packed meeting for the Taylorville city council Tuesday night, with zoning for the water plant, golf carts on city streets, and street work projects all on the agenda.

Council members and plan commission members heard concerns from residents about the new water treatment plant at a public hearing before the city council meeting. The biggest concerns included the plant’s effect on property values for neighboring homes, the view of the plant once completed, and possible flooding concerns with ground alterations done for the new plant. After the plan commission voted against recommending amending sections of city zoning code for the special uses for the water treatment plant, the city council unanimously voted against the commission’s non-recommendation to make the amendments.

1st Ward Alderman Larry Budd says he hadn’t heard any of the concerns from residents before Tuesday’s public hearing.

3rd Ward Alderman Ernie Dorchinecz says he understands the residents concerns, but with those not being known before, he believes they are too far in the process to turn back now.

In other council business, the city pushed back the date of the golf cart ordinance. The law will now go into effect on October 31 instead of September 30. There was discussion about how many signs need to be posted on Taylorville streets. The delay gives the council more time to decide how many signs are needed, and Budd says he will talk to Jacksonville’s mayor Andy Ezard about what they have done in their community.

The council also approved multiple purchases, including curbs and sidewalk projects on North Cherokee Street and milling and asphalt for street projects on Simpson, Jayne, and Cherokee Streets totaling just under $290,000.