A new area for economic development is being proposed in German Township.
Force Holdings LLC is requesting that approximately 69 acres on the north side of Tannehill Road, west of U.S. 31, be rezoned for medium industrial use. The land in question is made up of fields and woods behind the Riviera Maya restaurant, Red Roof Inn, Hoosier Air Transport and Circle K. The property extends west to Interstate 65.
While the Bartholomew County Commissioners gave their preliminary permission to change the current general agriculture zoning, it came in the form of an ordinance amendment. That means the commissioners will have a second and final vote on Force Holding’s request at 10 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
The zoning being sought will accommodate businesses such as light industrial, distribution, truck freight terminals, warehouses and distribution facilities.
“This property is going to play an integral part of the growth in that entire corridor,” county commissioner and planning commission member Tony London said.
County officials were not surprised to see the request. For several years, the Bartholomew County Comprehensive Plan identified this land as a Development District because of the availability of sewer and water, as well as the proximity of two primary arterial roads: U.S. 31 and Interstate 65.
“It appears not to be a very controversial item,” county Commissioner Carl Lienhoop said.
“What spurred this step is all the work we’re doing along Bear Lane, in regard to traffic lights and adding turn lanes,” London said. “We are going to be doing improvements on both the east and the west sides of U.S. 31., so now is a good time to get this property rezoned.”
When the request went before the Bartholomew County Planning Commission on Nov. 13, members voted to recommend approval if the following conditions suggested by city/county planning staff are met.
The staff wants to preserve all current vegetation within the existing wooded area to a minimum depth of 50 feet from both the I-65 frontage and Tannehill Road.
Keeping a buffer between the industrial development and the residences south of Tannehill Road is the right thing to do, London said. But maintaining the same type of buffer along I-65 was “a little overboard,” London said.
The other condition was that sufficient right-of-way be maintained on the north side of Tannehill Road to accommodate road development and expansion in the future, Bergman said.
The commissioners were advised that, since there is no place on the property for runoff water to go, the land has difficult drainage issues. When the matter was discussed by the planning commission earlier this month, a representative of Hoosier Air Transport also warned of drainage problems.
It was strongly recommended that draining issues be addressed prior to the approval of any specific industrial development.
