Area planners object to Hoosier Heartland rezoning request

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - It could be the beginning of a trend. The new Hoosier Heartland Highway is drawing interest from developers, as well as some objections from area planners.

The Area Plan Commission of Tippecanoe County considered Wednesday a request to rezone property around the intersection of the new State Road 25 and County Road 450 North, three-fourths of a mile west of Buck Creek.
    
APC Assistant Director Ryan O'Gara recommended denial, preferring to see development at the intersection on 750 East, just north of town. He cautioned commissioners that a rezoning from agriculture to general business would allow commercial billboards, unlike the neighborhood business rezoning he recommends.

But the APC voted 8-6 to recommend the rezoning, which will come before the County Commissioners next month.

O'Gara believes the rezoning request will hurt Buck Creek.

"We did not make these suggestions or recommendations out of thin air," O'Gara. “The comprehensive plan is very clear on the intent and the zoning districts are very clear about where things should go, where the community would like them to be."

As News 18 already reported, the commission delayed a second vote on the New Chauncey neighborhood plan until next month's APC meeting. Commissioners said the area in dispute is about five percent of the neighborhood and this gives residents more time to propose ideas.

The commission also gave primary approval for the Southern Winds apartment complex at U.S. 231 and Veterans Memorial Parkway on the south side of Lafayette.