Zoning Decision On Proposed Store In Pierceton Delayed
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
PIERCETON — The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission has delayed a decision on a request that would potentially bring a new business into Pierceton.
That was a topic of discussion at the Pierceton Town Council meeting on Monday, April 12, at the Pierceton Community Building.
The council had heard from engineer Andrew Rossell of AR Engineering of Kalamazoo, Mich., at its March meeting.
He spoke on behalf of a client, whom he declined to name, who is seeking to construct a 10,000 square-foot general retail store along Mill Street and US 30 next to J. Baker Trucking. The client wants to have the area rezoned from residential to commercial.
The council gave initial support to the project then. It had to come before the Kosciusko APC, which it did at its last meeting on Wednesday, April 7.
Council Member Mandy Espinoza, who serves on the Kosciusko APC, explained the situation.
“The developer failed to show up,” he said. “There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered as far as for the developer. So right now, it’s kind of in limbo until we hear from the developer.”
The issue will be discussed again at the Kosciusko APC’s meeting on Wednesday, May 5.
In other business, the council:
- Heard from Town Superintendent Casey Boggs that the town passed its 2020 Indiana Department of Environmental Consumer Confidence water report.
- Approved an ordinance creating a fund for Christmas lights. Stephanie Campbell also was present at the meeting. She’s involved with a committee seeking to buy Christmas lights for the town. She announced a fundraiser for the lights going April 19-May 3. People will be traveling around selling various cleaning products.
- Heard a report on the Pierceton Park Board from Board Secretary Annie Espinoza.
She said Jason Shepherd is seeking volunteers to help with the Pierceton Youth League. She said Shepherd said there’s enough kids participating this year to have T-ball, softball and baseball.
- Heard from Town Police Chief Tim Sammons that three applicants who didn’t get chosen for an officer position with the town’s police department are planning to become reserve officers for it. They are Alex Morrison, Lucas Rhodes and Victoria Griesmann.
- Heard from Sammons and Council Vice President Matt Brubaker, who serves on the fire department, that both the police and fire departments are seeking grants to buy radios from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
The state is now requiring that departments use certain MHz systems. The police department is seeking $57,757.60 in grant money and the fire department $150,000.
- OK’d a suggestion by Town Clerk-Treasurer Myra Mast to have the town’s cleanup day on Saturday, June 5.
For specific guidelines, people should contact the town office.
- Heard from Brubaker the fire department has a fish fry from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, May 8, at the fire station.
The department plans to have dine-in and carryout options.
The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 10, at the community building.