Push to OK business rezoning request

The potential delay of a zoning change request that has been in the pipeline since May drew the ire of some members of the Gary Common Council before the measure ‘s ultimate approval.

Councilwoman Linda Barnes-Caldwell, D-5th, said she did not understand the opposition from some council members to the request for a zoning change for four parcels at Chase and Waite streets from residential to light industrial in line with the city’s comprehensive plan.

The parcels at 3870 Chase, 3830 Waite, and two both with the approximate address of 3870 Waite equal about 12.9 acres. The request came with a 6-0 recommendation Sept. 2 from the Plan Commission.

Pner Arte Emmonoilidis sought the zoning change for a future trucking service-related business, Tramel Raggs, attorney for the petitioner, said. Raggs said it was too early to say the specifics of the business, other than it is trucking-related and will involve parking because the project has yet to begin the process before the plan commission in any form.

“Truck parking is something big in this area,” Raggs said. Gary is becoming ideal for trucking due to the number of interstates running through the city, he said.

“It’s something that has exploded in the last 15 years,” Raggs said. “It’s something that has been a boon to the city as of late.”

Councilman Cozey Weatherspoon, D-2nd, said he would like more information about what type of business was planned for the area before voting.

Barnes-Caldwell said she purposely hosted the developer in a community forum and invited the council to attend so any questions

would be answered before the matter came before the council for a vote. No council members attended, she said.

Barnes-Caldwell said the project began the process in May with the Plan Commission and the matter has been before the planning and development committee twice. She said there has been more than enough time to ask questions instead of delaying the developer further.

Raggs said the client already has had to reschedule closing on the property two times because of delays in approval. The sale is contingent on the successful zoning change, he said. Raggs said the developer told him approval at this meeting would give them just enough time to meet the new closing date.

Council President William Godwin, D-1st, said the ordinance title needed to be more specific.

“We have had a hard time finding ordinances when vaguely titled like this,” Godwin said.

Council members have requested ordinances presented for consideration have specific titles, in this case the addresses impacted by the zone change, so the zone changes can easily be found in the future, Godwin said.

The clerk’s office struggles with pulling up ordinances due to vague titles, something about which council members routinely complain. Godwin asked the ordinance be sent back to committee so it could be corrected.

Councilman Clorius Lay, D-At large, agreed. He said ordinances need to be as specific as possible in terms of an amendment to the zoning code. The affected property should be identified in the title.

“We absolutely want that done so we can locate it,” Lay said.

Councilmen Ron Brewer and Michael Brown, both D-At large, decried the delay.

“Let’s not hold up the petitioner on a title change that is basically housekeeping for us,” Brewer said.

Brown said he agreed with Brewer. There was a committee meeting with a presentation for council members and the public.

“We want to be a business-friendly council,” said Brown, who would like to move the vote forward due to the time constraints for the petitioner.

“I think too many times we try to find ways to delay this or that.”