Duane Schwada isn’t about to give up on his plans for a new 155-acre industrial park northwest of Lawrence.

“There are a lot of developments that are very worthwhile to the community that take some time to accomplish,” said Schwada, whose initial plans were rejected March 17 by the Douglas County Commission. “We will continue to work on it.”

George Abel, of Eudora, cuts some his 65 acres of corn during harvest in August in the Weaver Bottoms area northeast of Eudora.

The group’s plans call for establishment of an I-70 & K-10 Business Park on pasture land along the north side of the Farmer’s Turnpike, just northeast of the intersection of the Kansas Turnpike and the South Lawrence Trafficway.

Schwada’s group wants to rezone the land for light-industrial uses, but the group’s application was rejected by commissioners after they heard intense opposition from neighbors.

More than 80 had shown up for the commission’s March 17 meeting, warning commissioners that such zoning could allow for development of businesses that include auto manufacturing, chemical mixing, meat processing and dozens of other potentially undesirable operations.

Charles Jones, commission chairman, told Schwada the concept was too far away from Lawrence to satisfy concerns about inefficient extension of water systems, sewer services and other public infrastructure.

“I don’t think this plan is well-conceived,” Jones said during the meeting.

Jones’ vote was significant, because without it Schwada can’t move forward. Enough neighboring property owners signed a petition protesting Schwada’s plans, meaning that the rezoning couldn’t be approved without approval from all three commissioners.

Schwada knows he has an uphill battle to secure Jones’ support, if in fact his future plans also require a unanimous vote. But he emphasizes that his plan would be financed by private dollars, not public subsidies.

“There is no question that this is an ideal site, because of the transportation (access) and existing infrastructure,” Schwada said. “The alternatives that this commission’s got for industrial land all come with an extensive price tag.”

Two options discussed by commissioners — acquiring the vacant Farmland Industries fertilizer plant and adding onto the East Hills Business Park in southeast Lawrence — would require “huge tax dollars,” Schwada said.

“We’re always surprised when someone doesn’t take advantage of private enterprise to bring jobs and tax base to our community,” Schwada said.

Commissioners informally agreed to seek a change to the county’s zoning codes that would prohibit intensive industrial uses such as auto manufacturing and chemical mixing.

Commissioner Bob Johnson said new zoning categories could give developers confidence in making applications, and offer neighbors comfort by narrowing the possibilities for future development of nearby sites.

“We are doing ourselves a great disservice” by not having less-intensive zoning categories, Johnson said. “We put ourselves in a position so we can’t win. We can avoid this by simply stepping up to the plate … and getting it done on the fast track.”

No deadline for consideration of new zoning categories was set, although commissioners expect to see some progress this summer.