Local News
Wal-Mart suit continues to languish in court
It’s unlikely that the Wal-Mart Real Estate Business Trust and the Zionsville Plan Commission will come to a resolution any time soon.
The lawsuit, which Wal-Mart filed against the town in June 2008 in Boone County Superior Court II, followed the commission’s rejection of a Wal-Mart development plan in May 2008.
The department store giant owns more than 22 acres on the Boone-Hamilton County border at U.S. 421 and Bennett Parkway. According to Wal-Mart officials, it spent more than $2 million in acquiring, designing and engineering the site for development.
In 2006, Wal-Mart submitted a development plan that was rejected by the commission, who claimed it did not have jurisdiction to rule on it because part of the land was in Hamilton County. Judge Nation of Hamilton County Superior Court I, appointed to the case as a special judge, ruled in March 2008 that it was in the commission’s jurisdiction and advised it to rule on the case based on its merits.
By May, the commission again decided that the re-submitted Wal-Mart development plan was deficient, citing traffic, drainage and setback issues, among other problems.
“The judge (Steve Nation) periodically sets it for a telephone conference, but we usually don’t say anything,” said Patrick Hess, attorney for the plan commission. “Wal-Mart says they are still considering what to do with the land. The judge usually asks us if we have any problems with a continuance, and we say ‘No.’ That’s usually the end of it.”
The latest continuance, granted Oct. 21, will put off the next telephone conference until Jan. 7, 2010. Continuances have been granted by Nation on March 18, May 29 and Aug. 7 so far this year.
Hess said he did not expect anything happening soon in the case, nor did Town Manager Ed Mitro or Town Planner Terry Jones.
“The current status is how it has been for a while now,” Jones said.
Wal-Mart spokesman Jason Wetzel did not address the issue at length beyond saying “We continue to have ongoing discussions with the village, but no specific outcomes have been reached at this time.”
The attorney for Wal-Mart, Alan Townsend of Bose, McKinney and Evans, gave a similar statement.
“There is nothing newsworthy I can share at this time,” Townsend said.
- Local News
-
-
Battery reported by woman
A woman reported that her estranged husband had hit her over the head with his hand, which had a ring on it, in the morning of Tuesday, Aug. 31.
-
United Way sets new records
The United Way of Central Indiana in Boone County is raising the bar this year with several record highs.
-
Shine on
The event raised more than $10,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. To donate, visit http://memorywalk10.kintera.org/indianapolis/lacyslightsamy, go to Akard True Value Hardware,
75 Boone Village Shopping Center or mail to Alzheimer's Association Greater Indiana Chapter,
50 E. 91st St. Indianapolis , IN 46240. Put “Lacy's Lights” or Z’Sparkle Party and Drag Race” for the donation to count towards the event.
-
PAC says yes to referendum
A group of local residents have joined forces to create a political action committee to help pass Zionsville Community Schools’ operating budget referendum.
-
Logo trickles into Zionsville
Zionsville’s rebranding effort is on the move. The logo, which is now complete, is starting to pop up around town.
-
Budget hammered out as public hearing nears
As the Zionsville Town Council’s budget public hearing, set for Tuesday, Sept. 7 nears, members tried to get budget questions answered and issues resolved at its agenda setting meeting Monday, Aug. 30.
-
Zville man found guilty of selling cocaine
Frank Bearquiver, 32, may have exchanged $80 for decades in prison.
- Community calendar for Sept. 1
-
Group in infancy stages of aiding Main Street
An informal group is now starting to discuss aiding Zionsville’s Main Street businesses.
-
New station allows quick arrival to working fire
Fire crews were on the scene of a rural mobile home fire within four minutes of the alarm.
Zionsville fire Chief Jamie VanGorder said the firefighter’s response time was a critical factor in saving a significant portion of the home.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Battery reported by woman
