Rezoning Opens Door For Solar, Electrical Businesses South Of Nappanee
December 21, 2016 at 7:28 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
Two existing businesses, including Solar Energy Systems, plan to develop property at the southwest corner of Ind. 19 and CR 1350 after representatives cleared a final zoning hurdle.
On Tuesday, the Kosciusko County Commissioners voted in support of a recommendation from the area plan commission to rezone 35 acres from residential to commercial.
Solar Energy Systems will include offices, a showroom and plenty of warehouse space with its proposed 16,000-square-foot building that will be located on the corner, said Steve Snyder, an attorney who represented the companies in the zoning matter.
An electrician plans to open a store further to the west, Snyder said.
The solar company offers sales and installation for residential, commercial and agricultural interests, he said.
Snyder said both companies are seeking to relocate because they need more room to operate.
Roughly two decades ago, the property briefly represented a hotbed issue for the county when Gordon “Short” McCormick proposed to establish an asphalt plant on the land. That zoning request caused an uproar among some, and McCormick eventually pulled back plans and instead had the land rezoned from agriculture to residential.
McCormick later died and the property was recently sold at auction.
The land was never developed.
Solar Energy Systems has been in business for about 10 years and currently is located on Market Street in Nappanee.
Brian Burkholder, the company’s owner, said growth in the business required the move. He said the new store could be ready to open late next year.
Restrictions proposed by the new landowners made the zoning proposal more palatable for the plan commission, Area Plan Director Dan Richard said.
Among the limits included in the agreement, the businesses are restricted in the type of activities; exterior storage is prohibited and exterior lighting will be installed in a way to reduce glare, according to paperwork provided by the plan office.
Without the restrictions, owners could have used the land for a variety of types of uses, Richard said.
Richard said the restrictions made it much easier for the county to support the zoning request.
Representatives of the city of Nappanee participated in discussions over the rezoning and supported the change.
Don Lehman, the city plan director, said Nappanee plans to begin updating its master plan next year.
Among the many aspects that are part of the master plan, the town will look at includes a vision for more commercial growth to the south, he said.
Two existing businesses, including Solar Energy Systems, plan to develop property at the southwest corner of Ind. 19 and CR 1350 after representatives cleared a final zoning hurdle.
On Tuesday, the Kosciusko County Commissioners voted in support of a recommendation from the area plan commission to rezone 35 acres from residential to commercial.
Solar Energy Systems will include offices, a showroom and plenty of warehouse space with its proposed 16,000-square-foot building that will be located on the corner, said Steve Snyder, an attorney who represented the companies in the zoning matter.
An electrician plans to open a store further to the west, Snyder said.
The solar company offers sales and installation for residential, commercial and agricultural interests, he said.
Snyder said both companies are seeking to relocate because they need more room to operate.
Roughly two decades ago, the property briefly represented a hotbed issue for the county when Gordon “Short” McCormick proposed to establish an asphalt plant on the land. That zoning request caused an uproar among some, and McCormick eventually pulled back plans and instead had the land rezoned from agriculture to residential.
McCormick later died and the property was recently sold at auction.
The land was never developed.
Solar Energy Systems has been in business for about 10 years and currently is located on Market Street in Nappanee.
Brian Burkholder, the company’s owner, said growth in the business required the move. He said the new store could be ready to open late next year.
Restrictions proposed by the new landowners made the zoning proposal more palatable for the plan commission, Area Plan Director Dan Richard said.
Among the limits included in the agreement, the businesses are restricted in the type of activities; exterior storage is prohibited and exterior lighting will be installed in a way to reduce glare, according to paperwork provided by the plan office.
Without the restrictions, owners could have used the land for a variety of types of uses, Richard said.
Richard said the restrictions made it much easier for the county to support the zoning request.
Representatives of the city of Nappanee participated in discussions over the rezoning and supported the change.
Don Lehman, the city plan director, said Nappanee plans to begin updating its master plan next year.
Among the many aspects that are part of the master plan, the town will look at includes a vision for more commercial growth to the south, he said.
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