“South Whidbey residents who support or oppose a local development company’s plans to build an Exxon gas station and retail area in Freeland will not get to air their differences in front of an Island County arbiter this week.The planned Thursday morning hearing before the hearing examiner, Michael Bobbink, will not happen because both the developers and the county’s planning department agreed this week that the developers should rethink their applications and reapply for a development permit.On Tuesday, Island County planning director Matt Nash said developers Mick Olsen, Terry Otey, and Gordon Koetje will probably apply for a new site plan review of their project, which is planned for construction at the intersection of Fish Road and Highway 525. Nash said a number of actual and perceived imperfections in the developers’ original application convinced them to reapply.It makes us and the applicants want to step back and reapply, Nash said.Problems with the applications arose in several areas. Nash said the traffic study submitted with the application was not accurate because the applicants expanded their development plans after the study was completed. In addition, the planning department did not publish notice of the comment period for the application on time.If Olsen, Otey, and Koetje reapply, Nash said the planning department will also have to research some perceived differences in state law and county ordinances as they apply to the Exxon project.Jerry Hill, president of People for Responsible Organized Urban Development (PROUD) — a group that opposes the Exxon station development — said Tuesday that PROUD members had thought the hearing might be canceled. He said he agrees with Nash that the project permit application will resurface in the next few weeks.We think they may try to (reapply), he said. If they do, Hill said PROUD will do everything it can to stop construction.The developers must reapply for their development permit by June 30. If they do not, the property planned as the development site will fall outside of Freeland’s commercial zone. Last week, the Island County Commissioners reduced the size of that zone in response to an order from the state to do so.Nash said he expects his department to place a new permit application sign on the proposed development sign sometime before the end of the month. He said those interested in the project should take note of the comment period listed on the sign and in published notices and submit any comments they have to his department.”