Residents Voice Dissapproval Of Proposed Zimmer Lane
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Pending final plat approval from the Warsaw Plan Commission, Zimmer projected to shut down a portion of Center Street after the construction of a proposed Zimmer Lane.
A 1979 agreement with the plan commission allows Zimmer the vacation of Center Street, with the stipulation that they must construct a "new street 50 feet in width with an easement 10 feet in width north-south adjacent."
The company plans to construct a road to allow for the Center Street's vacation, from Hepler Drive to CR 225W. Zimmer was granted a preliminary plat approval on Zimmer Lane during the plan commission's three-hour Monday meeting.
"I'm worried about when people are going to have to snake around Center Street," Richard Keevan, plan commission member, said. "Nobody really knows about Center closing yet. I can only imagine the reaction."
Zimmer Lane, the potential new public road , will lie north of Zimmer's current property beside Boggs Industrial Park. The proposed road construction plans for a 37-foot wide pavement, along with foot-wide curbs to each side. Zimmer also will include a 10-foot wide drain ditch on the south side of the street, helping to deal with the water problem surrounding residents have dealt with recently. A chain link fence, currently along the north side of Zimmer property, will be torn down during road construction.
John Kimbel, along with several Zimmer representatives, explained to the commission and all attendants Zimmer's road plans and projections for construction.
Eighteen residents of Phillip's Subdivision attended the meeting, disapproving of the proposed new road, stating that noise, litter and security problems were already an issue in their neighborhood, and that the new road would only add to their already stressful living situations.
The main dispute between residents and Zimmer arose from noise pollution.
"(Zimmer) is a wonderful corporate citizen, but they are a lousy neighbor to us," John Mannan, of 1805 Rosemount Avenue, said. "With their motorcycles during shift changes and the fact that Zimmer doesn't patrol their properties, I highly doubt the noise will lessen after this road is in place."
Others spoke out against the proposal. One stated that the noise created from Zimmer's traffic "shook his windows," while another said he would be forced to move once the new road was constructed.
Another issue residents voiced was the lack of security they would feel with Zimmer Lane adjacent to their back yards.
"If they take down the current fence, there is no security. Anyone can walk out onto and off of that road," Ronald Tutorow, of 1803 Robin Drive, said. "Now maybe I'll sleep more with my shotgun."
The commission listened to many who wanted a fence re-established after construction, for protection reasons as well as trash prevention.
While Zimmer and residents proposed a new link fence and heavy vegetation screening options, no solution was determined.
"This road is a double-edged sword. Zimmer is a great corporate neighbor, but there should be screening along the area," Bruce Woodward said.
Woodward, a property owner of lots adjacent to Zimmer, presented information that questioned the current property lines of the surrounding area, including an 18-foot property discrepancy at one location. Woodward did not present the information to remonstrate Zimmer's proposal, rather to establish common property lines for all affected.
After lengthy discussion and debate, the commission approved the preliminary plat with the recommendations that Zimmer study traffic before final approval, propose a solution to screening and possibly move the road 3 feet south of the current location in the proposal.
"We've been here for three hours. We've done what we can do," Joe Thallemer, plan commission president, said. "I hope that both Zimmer and its neighbors will be diligent and cooperative in this situation."
The board also approved Louis and Nedra Dobbins' request to vacate a public way east of their property along Pike Lake.
Present commission members were Thallemer, Keevan, Jeff Grose, Lacey Francis, Alan Clingan and Jim Gast. Member Tammy Dalton was absent. [[In-content Ad]]
Pending final plat approval from the Warsaw Plan Commission, Zimmer projected to shut down a portion of Center Street after the construction of a proposed Zimmer Lane.
A 1979 agreement with the plan commission allows Zimmer the vacation of Center Street, with the stipulation that they must construct a "new street 50 feet in width with an easement 10 feet in width north-south adjacent."
The company plans to construct a road to allow for the Center Street's vacation, from Hepler Drive to CR 225W. Zimmer was granted a preliminary plat approval on Zimmer Lane during the plan commission's three-hour Monday meeting.
"I'm worried about when people are going to have to snake around Center Street," Richard Keevan, plan commission member, said. "Nobody really knows about Center closing yet. I can only imagine the reaction."
Zimmer Lane, the potential new public road , will lie north of Zimmer's current property beside Boggs Industrial Park. The proposed road construction plans for a 37-foot wide pavement, along with foot-wide curbs to each side. Zimmer also will include a 10-foot wide drain ditch on the south side of the street, helping to deal with the water problem surrounding residents have dealt with recently. A chain link fence, currently along the north side of Zimmer property, will be torn down during road construction.
John Kimbel, along with several Zimmer representatives, explained to the commission and all attendants Zimmer's road plans and projections for construction.
Eighteen residents of Phillip's Subdivision attended the meeting, disapproving of the proposed new road, stating that noise, litter and security problems were already an issue in their neighborhood, and that the new road would only add to their already stressful living situations.
The main dispute between residents and Zimmer arose from noise pollution.
"(Zimmer) is a wonderful corporate citizen, but they are a lousy neighbor to us," John Mannan, of 1805 Rosemount Avenue, said. "With their motorcycles during shift changes and the fact that Zimmer doesn't patrol their properties, I highly doubt the noise will lessen after this road is in place."
Others spoke out against the proposal. One stated that the noise created from Zimmer's traffic "shook his windows," while another said he would be forced to move once the new road was constructed.
Another issue residents voiced was the lack of security they would feel with Zimmer Lane adjacent to their back yards.
"If they take down the current fence, there is no security. Anyone can walk out onto and off of that road," Ronald Tutorow, of 1803 Robin Drive, said. "Now maybe I'll sleep more with my shotgun."
The commission listened to many who wanted a fence re-established after construction, for protection reasons as well as trash prevention.
While Zimmer and residents proposed a new link fence and heavy vegetation screening options, no solution was determined.
"This road is a double-edged sword. Zimmer is a great corporate neighbor, but there should be screening along the area," Bruce Woodward said.
Woodward, a property owner of lots adjacent to Zimmer, presented information that questioned the current property lines of the surrounding area, including an 18-foot property discrepancy at one location. Woodward did not present the information to remonstrate Zimmer's proposal, rather to establish common property lines for all affected.
After lengthy discussion and debate, the commission approved the preliminary plat with the recommendations that Zimmer study traffic before final approval, propose a solution to screening and possibly move the road 3 feet south of the current location in the proposal.
"We've been here for three hours. We've done what we can do," Joe Thallemer, plan commission president, said. "I hope that both Zimmer and its neighbors will be diligent and cooperative in this situation."
The board also approved Louis and Nedra Dobbins' request to vacate a public way east of their property along Pike Lake.
Present commission members were Thallemer, Keevan, Jeff Grose, Lacey Francis, Alan Clingan and Jim Gast. Member Tammy Dalton was absent. [[In-content Ad]]