Zionsville —
Similar to David slaying Goliath, the town of Zionsville has ruined the proposed plan of a major retailer setting up shop in town.
The Board of Zoning Appeals voted Tuesday night, Feb. 12, to reject Wal-Mart’s request for a variance from the big box ordinance, which limits the size of integrated centers to 125,000 square feet and single uses within an integrated center to 60,000 square feet. The retail superstore was asking for a 156,621 square feet integrated store.
BZA chairman Larry Mitchell recused himself from voting and left the room while the project was being considered.
More than 150 residents came to town hall for the meeting, and most everyone in attendance was against the project.
The BZA typically grants 15 minutes to the petitioner to present, followed by 15 minutes of people against the project, five minutes of rebuttal from the petitioner and five minutes of rebuttal from those remonstrating. The BZA waived those limitations because of the crowd and expanded them to 45 minutes for petitioner and remonstraters and 15 minutes each for rebuttal.
When it came time for those who support the project to speak, no one came forward while nearly 20 spoke against the project, many to applause.
BZA member Jay Parks cautioned the board before proceeding with a vote.
“What being asked to do is to look at just issue of size and not tenancy within that size,” he said. “Most of the remonstrance had to do with the petitioner as opposed to petition. I want to caution us as we go forward. We are tasked with the question as to whether or not we want to deviate from the standards we have built. That’s the question – nothing more.”
BZA member Al Wopshall made the motion and Parks seconded. The final vote was 4-0.
Member Gregory Morical added one final thought after the vote.
“One point that is important to make is that the burden is on the petitioner to show us why they need the variance,” he said. “Based upon what we heard tonight and the findings of fact, I feel they failed to meet that burden.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Zionsville residents line up to speak against a proposed Wal-Mart project Tuesday evening, Feb. 12. The Board of Zoning Appeals denied Wal-Mart's variance request during the meeting. Photo by Matt Werner
Zionsville board votes no on Wal-Mart
- Local News
-
-
Pittmans bet on The Farm
They could have made it anything. Apartments. A vinyl village. A big box retailer.
Brothers Steve and Chad Pittman were approached by all of these possibilities for their family’s high profile land at the southwest corner of Michigan Road and Sycamore Street.Click here to download the site plan .pdf for The Farm.
-
VIDEO: Bus crash injures 12
Twelve people were taken to hospitals - six to Methodist and six to St. Vincent - after a school bus crashed and rolled over on northbound Interstate 65 in Boone County just before 2 p.m. Thursday.
-
Dow deal approaches completion
At a Friday, May 10, meeting of the Zionsville Redevelopment Commission, RDC attorney Andy Buroker announced a May 23 closing date has been set on the Dow property the town will purchase — if all the final details come together.
-
Meijer files Anson plans with state
Meijer is able to break ground in Anson after receiving a release for foundation construction from the state.
-
New foundation director is coffee driven
Jen Pendleton hopes to take the Community Foundation of Boone County to the next level, and she hopes to do it with a lot of coffee.
-
No more environmental concerns on Dow property
Any worries about environmental concerns on the Dow property are no longer present after a Phase II subsurface investigation was completed.
-
Sting shuts down Zionsville spa
The Hamilton/Boone Drug Task Force made its biggest prostitution bust after a nearly yearlong investigation.
-
Promoting safety
April is National Autism Awareness month, and the Whitestown Fire Department is doing its share to recognize it.
-
1st Flower & Herb Day planned for May 4
The Zionsville Downtown Committee is bringing spring to town Saturday, May 4, with or without Mother Nature’s cooperation.
-
Town council close to purchase of PNC Bank property
The Zionsville Town Council will be one step closer, after its May meeting, to purchasing the PNC Bank property on Main Street.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
