REMC To Build New Headquarters
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
New headquarters for the Kosciusko REMC were discussed in Warsaw city council chambers Monday, as Larry Easterday stepped forward in favor of annexation of 26.18 acres east of CR 250E and north of U.S. 30.
Easterday, REMC's marketing and member relations director, was the only member of the public to speak for or against the proposal.
He said the current facility, at 523 S. Buffalo St., is land-locked. The utility also has land at the southernmost end of Detroit Street, where trucks and equipment are stored.
"The REMC has been part of the Warsaw community for more than 60 years. We want another piece of property and want to stay in the city," Easterday said of the request.
The annexation indicates the company will request industrial-2 zoning for the ground, currently zoned agricultural by the county.
Teresa Ho, assistant city planner, said the next reading of the ordinance will be at the council's Oct. 20 meeting and a fiscal plan will be presented at that time.
If there are no remonstrances, the annexation will be effective Dec. 1. At that time, a site plan and petition for light industrial zoning would be presented.
Councilman Jeff Grose expressed concern about the I-2 zoning designation because of adjacent property zoned residential (the Hunters Ridge housing subdivision) northeast of the site.
West of CR 250E, the city has designated commercial-3 zoning; to the south, properties are zoned I-2.
Steve Rhodes, REMC chief executive officer, said city planner Jeff Noffsinger recommended the I-2 zoning.
Grose, also a member of the Warsaw plan commission, asked that Noffsinger make a presentation regarding the I-2 zoning recommendation.
According to city ordinance, a light industrial use (in the I-2 district) is one that requires both buildings and open area for the manufacturing, fabrication, processing, light repairing, dismantling, storage or disposal of raw materials, manufactured products or wastes, which are not injurious to health or safety of humans or injurious to vegetation and which are not noxious or offensive by reason of the emission of smoke, dust, fumes, gas, odors, noises or vibrations beyond the limits of the premises upon which such industry is located.
Councilman Bill Rhoades said the Canterbury House Apartments have requested a light at their entrance, 100 St. Augustine Drive.
"I think we're helping them light their sign as well as lighting the street," he said, pointing out that fiber optic cables are buried near the entrance, too.
While the light is a safety concern, he said that with a little more consideration, it is easy and inexpensive for developers to install a light pole during the planning stage.
The poles cost $300 to install and $6.25 for power consumption per month.
Councilman Joe Thallemer recommended the development's lighting plan be reviewed. The request was tabled.
In other business, the board approved a resolution transferring $230,000 to the parks department fund as a temporary loan.
City council members are: Trish Brown, George Clemens, Jeff Grose, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Charlie Smith and Joe Thallemer. [[In-content Ad]]
New headquarters for the Kosciusko REMC were discussed in Warsaw city council chambers Monday, as Larry Easterday stepped forward in favor of annexation of 26.18 acres east of CR 250E and north of U.S. 30.
Easterday, REMC's marketing and member relations director, was the only member of the public to speak for or against the proposal.
He said the current facility, at 523 S. Buffalo St., is land-locked. The utility also has land at the southernmost end of Detroit Street, where trucks and equipment are stored.
"The REMC has been part of the Warsaw community for more than 60 years. We want another piece of property and want to stay in the city," Easterday said of the request.
The annexation indicates the company will request industrial-2 zoning for the ground, currently zoned agricultural by the county.
Teresa Ho, assistant city planner, said the next reading of the ordinance will be at the council's Oct. 20 meeting and a fiscal plan will be presented at that time.
If there are no remonstrances, the annexation will be effective Dec. 1. At that time, a site plan and petition for light industrial zoning would be presented.
Councilman Jeff Grose expressed concern about the I-2 zoning designation because of adjacent property zoned residential (the Hunters Ridge housing subdivision) northeast of the site.
West of CR 250E, the city has designated commercial-3 zoning; to the south, properties are zoned I-2.
Steve Rhodes, REMC chief executive officer, said city planner Jeff Noffsinger recommended the I-2 zoning.
Grose, also a member of the Warsaw plan commission, asked that Noffsinger make a presentation regarding the I-2 zoning recommendation.
According to city ordinance, a light industrial use (in the I-2 district) is one that requires both buildings and open area for the manufacturing, fabrication, processing, light repairing, dismantling, storage or disposal of raw materials, manufactured products or wastes, which are not injurious to health or safety of humans or injurious to vegetation and which are not noxious or offensive by reason of the emission of smoke, dust, fumes, gas, odors, noises or vibrations beyond the limits of the premises upon which such industry is located.
Councilman Bill Rhoades said the Canterbury House Apartments have requested a light at their entrance, 100 St. Augustine Drive.
"I think we're helping them light their sign as well as lighting the street," he said, pointing out that fiber optic cables are buried near the entrance, too.
While the light is a safety concern, he said that with a little more consideration, it is easy and inexpensive for developers to install a light pole during the planning stage.
The poles cost $300 to install and $6.25 for power consumption per month.
Councilman Joe Thallemer recommended the development's lighting plan be reviewed. The request was tabled.
In other business, the board approved a resolution transferring $230,000 to the parks department fund as a temporary loan.
City council members are: Trish Brown, George Clemens, Jeff Grose, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Charlie Smith and Joe Thallemer. [[In-content Ad]]