New restrictions for small, neighborhood-based commercial areas have prompted questions on whether now is a good time to further limit businesses.
Examples of these types of areas cited during Monday’s Bartholomew County Commissioners meeting include QuickSigns at the corner of 16th and Union streets, as well as ZwanzigZ Pizza and Brewery at 11th and Lafayette.
There are usually no more than one or two businesses mostly surrounded by residences, city/county planner Jeff Bergman said.
However, the ordinance that received first-reading approval Monday from the commissioners pertain only to small, neighborhood-based commercial areas outside the Columbus city limits. It would include all rural areas, as well as small,unincorporated towns like Newbern, Grammer and Waymansville.
The proposed ordinance states that certain retailers or services like business centers, nightclubs, bars, athletic complexes and liquor stores are inconsistent with residential areas, Bergman said.
In Columbus, these types of business cause traffic concerns, parking congestion, noise and excessive light, among other issues, Bergman stated in a memorandum. The Columbus City Council approved restrictions on these areas on Aug. 18 that also included buffers.
If the submitted county ordinance receives final approval next week, it would make the placement of one of these establishments in a residential area outside of incorporated communities either conditional or prohibited, Bergman said.
Provisions also prohibit drive-thru windows because studies show they can be disruptive to a neighborhood setting, Bergman said. Other parts of the proposal include required bicycle racks, direct sidewalks up to the business from public sidewalks, and reducing the maximum size and number of wall signs.
When unopposed candidate Tony London, who will succeed county commissioner Rick Flohr on Jan. 1, asked if any complaints have been made outside the Columbus city limits, Bergman said no.
“My only thought on this as a business owner is that it’s a tough time to be in business right now,” said London, a Republican. “It seems we might be putting up some additional roadblocks. And if there are no complaints in the county, why are we moving in this direction?”
Bergman responded by saying his staff strives to keep shared city/county zoning ordinances consistent. The city/county planner also said his employees are trying to ascertain if the proposed changes would benefit the county, based on the city’s experiences.
If the ordinance is passed, Bergman implied the county isn’t likely to go out looking for problems where none currently exist.
“I think everybody understands you can apply as much or as little to this as you see fit,” Bergman said. “We’ll manage how that works in the shared zoning ordinance from that point forward.”
In addition, business owners can always request an exemption from the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals, he said.
ZwanzigZ Pizza and Brewing was cited by the commissioners as being sensitive to nearby residents whenever they are expanding. The restaurant and bar is never open any later than 10 p.m., and is required to meet various criteria with their parking lots, commissioner chairman Carl Lienhoop said.
The ordinance is scheduled to be up for a final vote when the commissioners meet at 10 a.m. on Sept. 21. Although the COVID-19 crisis is still preventing the public from attending county government meetings, residents can get information on how to download the meeting via the Zoom format by contacting the Bartholomew County auditor’s office at 812-379-1510.
