Planners Give Favorable Nod For Meijer Rezoning
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
During its meeting, the commission approved the rezoning of property southeast of the Anchorage Road and U.S. 30 intersection.
The rezoning is a change from residential and C-3 light commercial to C-5 heavy commercial.
Commission member Rick Keeven made the motion to approve the rezoning, and board member Tammy Dalton seconded the motion.
Warsaw City Planner Jeremy Skinner said when the city council reviews the rezoning recommendation at its March 21 meeting, then it will be sent back to the plan commission, who will review a development plan if the council approves the rezoning.
Steve Snyder, attorney representing Meijer, spoke about the 200,000-square-foot Meijer proposal with a 2,400-square-foot convenience store with gasoline sales.
Indiana Department of Transportation and Warsaw Traffic Commission has approved an initial traffic study.
Snyder spoke about community benefits, including Meijer would bring competition, increase the tax base and create jobs.
Adjacent property owners to the proposed Meijer site expressed concerns with the proposal.
Tony Miller, 2020 Robb Road, Warsaw, said he was opposed to the rezoning and proposed location of the Meijer.
He said he had concerns with lighting and sound from the Meijer that would interfere with his property.
He also had concerns with how the Meijer would have a potential to negatively impact existing small businesses.
Miller also had concerns with water drainage, and said there already is a major flooding problem on Pike Lake and Sunset Drive.
Commission member Jim Gast said he sympathized with Miller, and assured him the drainage issue will be closely examined
Lynette Merkler, Pike Lake Association president, said she had concerns with runoff to Deeds Creek from the proposed Meijer site. She wanted to be assured there will be retention ponds.
She also had concerns if a gas station is allowed, she wants to make sure gasoline would not end up in Pike Lake. She also wanted buffering for light and traffic sound.
Diane Quance, District 5 city councilwoman, said she doesn't believe the traffic study adequately addressed the safety of children who live on Anchorage Road.
"We have a number of children that go up and down Anchorage Road to get to the sidewalk on Sunset Drive, and there is not a lot of room on that road," Quance said.
Loretta Reeder, Prudential One Realty, spoke representing the Hanes family that has property next door to the Meijer project.
The Hanes' concerns are the loading docks that will be behind Meijer, that is near the back yard of the their property. They also have concerns of lights from the Meijer parking lot and buffering and noise levels.
Jim Fleming, 2222 Bluewater Drive, had concerns with traffic and how to get out of Bluewater Drive onto Anchorage Road if traffic will be increased on Anchorage Road.
Jian Zhen, owner of Wong's Restaurant, 835 Anchorage Road, said he is not opposed to Meijer coming to the location, but he is concerned with traffic backing up on Anchorage Road.
"I love the Meijer project but my concern is traffic. I know there has been a traffic study, but I don't agree with it," Zhen said.
He said Anchorage Road is a shortcut between Ind. 15 and U.S. 30, and said Anchorage Road needs to be paved and widened.
Skinner said lighting, screening, drainage and fencing will be discussed at the development plan stage.
He also said light must be retained on the Meijer property, and detention ponds will be reviewed by an independent firm so no additional runoff will be added to Deeds Creek.
Skinner said federal and state government regulations heavily regulate gasoline stations and would monitor the station for issues associated with gasoline concerns.
Skinner said Anchorage Road is 30 miles per hour, and the traffic study did not take into consideration children and said every Indiana Department of Transportation regulation is based on safety for drivers and pedestrians.
Skinner said residents will be able to get out of Sunset Drive and Bluewater Drive, and there will be lane improvements for traffic flow.
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During its meeting, the commission approved the rezoning of property southeast of the Anchorage Road and U.S. 30 intersection.
The rezoning is a change from residential and C-3 light commercial to C-5 heavy commercial.
Commission member Rick Keeven made the motion to approve the rezoning, and board member Tammy Dalton seconded the motion.
Warsaw City Planner Jeremy Skinner said when the city council reviews the rezoning recommendation at its March 21 meeting, then it will be sent back to the plan commission, who will review a development plan if the council approves the rezoning.
Steve Snyder, attorney representing Meijer, spoke about the 200,000-square-foot Meijer proposal with a 2,400-square-foot convenience store with gasoline sales.
Indiana Department of Transportation and Warsaw Traffic Commission has approved an initial traffic study.
Snyder spoke about community benefits, including Meijer would bring competition, increase the tax base and create jobs.
Adjacent property owners to the proposed Meijer site expressed concerns with the proposal.
Tony Miller, 2020 Robb Road, Warsaw, said he was opposed to the rezoning and proposed location of the Meijer.
He said he had concerns with lighting and sound from the Meijer that would interfere with his property.
He also had concerns with how the Meijer would have a potential to negatively impact existing small businesses.
Miller also had concerns with water drainage, and said there already is a major flooding problem on Pike Lake and Sunset Drive.
Commission member Jim Gast said he sympathized with Miller, and assured him the drainage issue will be closely examined
Lynette Merkler, Pike Lake Association president, said she had concerns with runoff to Deeds Creek from the proposed Meijer site. She wanted to be assured there will be retention ponds.
She also had concerns if a gas station is allowed, she wants to make sure gasoline would not end up in Pike Lake. She also wanted buffering for light and traffic sound.
Diane Quance, District 5 city councilwoman, said she doesn't believe the traffic study adequately addressed the safety of children who live on Anchorage Road.
"We have a number of children that go up and down Anchorage Road to get to the sidewalk on Sunset Drive, and there is not a lot of room on that road," Quance said.
Loretta Reeder, Prudential One Realty, spoke representing the Hanes family that has property next door to the Meijer project.
The Hanes' concerns are the loading docks that will be behind Meijer, that is near the back yard of the their property. They also have concerns of lights from the Meijer parking lot and buffering and noise levels.
Jim Fleming, 2222 Bluewater Drive, had concerns with traffic and how to get out of Bluewater Drive onto Anchorage Road if traffic will be increased on Anchorage Road.
Jian Zhen, owner of Wong's Restaurant, 835 Anchorage Road, said he is not opposed to Meijer coming to the location, but he is concerned with traffic backing up on Anchorage Road.
"I love the Meijer project but my concern is traffic. I know there has been a traffic study, but I don't agree with it," Zhen said.
He said Anchorage Road is a shortcut between Ind. 15 and U.S. 30, and said Anchorage Road needs to be paved and widened.
Skinner said lighting, screening, drainage and fencing will be discussed at the development plan stage.
He also said light must be retained on the Meijer property, and detention ponds will be reviewed by an independent firm so no additional runoff will be added to Deeds Creek.
Skinner said federal and state government regulations heavily regulate gasoline stations and would monitor the station for issues associated with gasoline concerns.
Skinner said Anchorage Road is 30 miles per hour, and the traffic study did not take into consideration children and said every Indiana Department of Transportation regulation is based on safety for drivers and pedestrians.
Skinner said residents will be able to get out of Sunset Drive and Bluewater Drive, and there will be lane improvements for traffic flow.
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