Syracuse Studies Industrial Park Options
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Jones explained why the project has taken as long as it has. According to Jones, the original agreement that made the area a tax increment finance district, plus the interlocal agreement with interested municipalities, were tied up with AmeriCamp.[[In-content Ad]]Original zoning work was done in 2004, but the agreement with AmeriCamp fell through by 2006. In early 2007, Wightman-Petrie got re-involved with the project.
"I've been working on this project since 2003, now with my third town manager. Things are actually getting done now, and I feel we're moving forward quite quickly," Jones said. "I can tell you that the procedures we're having to go through are complicated by the redevelopment commission, and the fact that there are multiple components. We are now into final zoning activity. The original zoning in 2004 went through rather quickly. The procedure that we're going through now is all by ordinance. The problem is that there is nothing in Elkhart County's policies and procedures that allow for a short cut."
Jones said state law actually governs comprehensive plans in such projects, and not local ordinances. Kosciusko County and the county plan commission did, however, adopt the plan, although it added time to the process.
The land north of U.S. 6 is not in the TIF area. As of now, the TIF includes the corridor on Ind. 13 to the Syracuse property. It does not cover all of the land that would eventually be in the project.
Adjustments to the plan regarding commercial land use had to be made before going to the commission. There was some concern from residents of Jackson Township and New Paris regarding competition that the industrial park would bring to the area. Some residential and agricultural use land will not be included in the area. The council accepted the new plan, and Jones stated there is yet another meeting with the plan commission to be held on the matter.
Town Manager Henry DeJulia presented the council with a list of infrastructure improvements that he recommends Syracuse undertake for the remainder of 2009. These include:
n Wastewater - 2009 engineering for Micro-screen, mandated by the state. Estimated at $20,000.
n Storm Sewer - Steel Drive storm water drainage project ($15,000); storm drain near the post office, ($5,000); North Shore Drive from Long Drive to Hiawatha Drive ($5,000 to be completed in 2010).
n Upgrades: Tear down water plant and Dana water tower, with funds already appropriated. If possible, tear down park brick building and animal control building (estimated $90,000); new street maintenance garage, $150,000, already appropriated from cumulative capital improvement property taxes.
n Paving: Forest Park, complete road construction and curbing; Allen Street from North Huntington (350 feet with 1-1/2-inch overlay); Lake Street from John Street south to the channel (770 feet with 1-1/2-inch overlay). There is $75,000 available in 2009 for these projects.
Sidewalks: Pickwick from Harkless to Ind. 13; Brooklyn from Oak Street to Maple Street; Henry Street from Ind. 13 to Boston Street (590 feet); Portland Street from alley west to Main Street to Vega field (650 feet); plus maintenance of existing sidewalks.
Some of these projects can be done "in house" by town crews, and some will be bid out. The council approved this list as work that is needed. Bidding on certain projects will start soon.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Director Tammy Cotton showed the council a "rough draft" of banners that the town is interested in acquiring that will be hung from light poles.
The project will start with 27 banners, and will be hung on poles in the downtown area following Ind. 13. The town and chamber of commerce will pay for the banners, with $2,000 being approved for the first group. This includes the design fee. Banners will be only displayed from spring to fall.
The council approved an emergency ordinance providing for the transfer of funds. Through the ordinance, $15,000 was transferred from Rainy Day Fund to the Emergency Housing Loan Fund.
The council read a proclamation naming Friday as Arbor Day. The annual Arbor Day celebration will be held Friday morning at Syracuse Elementary School, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
The Syracuse Parks Department announced several programs that will be starting soon. The Community Center will be holding a baby-sitter certification class taught by the American Red Cross Saturday. Cost is $40 per person.
A cake-decorating class will be Tuesday evenings from May 5 through May 21, 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20.
The Syracuse Police Department, in conjunction with the parks department, will host a "found bike" auction Saturday at the Community Center.
The Kiwanis Car Show is scheduled for May 16. Also on May 16, the Farmers and Artisan Market will be held.
In financial matters, the council approved a donation of $2,000 to the Lake Area Community Band, and also paid claims for the month of April in the amount of $466,591.12.
Syracuse Town Council members are Cassie Cowan, Brian Woody, Paul Stoelting, Bill Musser and Larry Siegel.
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Jones explained why the project has taken as long as it has. According to Jones, the original agreement that made the area a tax increment finance district, plus the interlocal agreement with interested municipalities, were tied up with AmeriCamp.[[In-content Ad]]Original zoning work was done in 2004, but the agreement with AmeriCamp fell through by 2006. In early 2007, Wightman-Petrie got re-involved with the project.
"I've been working on this project since 2003, now with my third town manager. Things are actually getting done now, and I feel we're moving forward quite quickly," Jones said. "I can tell you that the procedures we're having to go through are complicated by the redevelopment commission, and the fact that there are multiple components. We are now into final zoning activity. The original zoning in 2004 went through rather quickly. The procedure that we're going through now is all by ordinance. The problem is that there is nothing in Elkhart County's policies and procedures that allow for a short cut."
Jones said state law actually governs comprehensive plans in such projects, and not local ordinances. Kosciusko County and the county plan commission did, however, adopt the plan, although it added time to the process.
The land north of U.S. 6 is not in the TIF area. As of now, the TIF includes the corridor on Ind. 13 to the Syracuse property. It does not cover all of the land that would eventually be in the project.
Adjustments to the plan regarding commercial land use had to be made before going to the commission. There was some concern from residents of Jackson Township and New Paris regarding competition that the industrial park would bring to the area. Some residential and agricultural use land will not be included in the area. The council accepted the new plan, and Jones stated there is yet another meeting with the plan commission to be held on the matter.
Town Manager Henry DeJulia presented the council with a list of infrastructure improvements that he recommends Syracuse undertake for the remainder of 2009. These include:
n Wastewater - 2009 engineering for Micro-screen, mandated by the state. Estimated at $20,000.
n Storm Sewer - Steel Drive storm water drainage project ($15,000); storm drain near the post office, ($5,000); North Shore Drive from Long Drive to Hiawatha Drive ($5,000 to be completed in 2010).
n Upgrades: Tear down water plant and Dana water tower, with funds already appropriated. If possible, tear down park brick building and animal control building (estimated $90,000); new street maintenance garage, $150,000, already appropriated from cumulative capital improvement property taxes.
n Paving: Forest Park, complete road construction and curbing; Allen Street from North Huntington (350 feet with 1-1/2-inch overlay); Lake Street from John Street south to the channel (770 feet with 1-1/2-inch overlay). There is $75,000 available in 2009 for these projects.
Sidewalks: Pickwick from Harkless to Ind. 13; Brooklyn from Oak Street to Maple Street; Henry Street from Ind. 13 to Boston Street (590 feet); Portland Street from alley west to Main Street to Vega field (650 feet); plus maintenance of existing sidewalks.
Some of these projects can be done "in house" by town crews, and some will be bid out. The council approved this list as work that is needed. Bidding on certain projects will start soon.
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Director Tammy Cotton showed the council a "rough draft" of banners that the town is interested in acquiring that will be hung from light poles.
The project will start with 27 banners, and will be hung on poles in the downtown area following Ind. 13. The town and chamber of commerce will pay for the banners, with $2,000 being approved for the first group. This includes the design fee. Banners will be only displayed from spring to fall.
The council approved an emergency ordinance providing for the transfer of funds. Through the ordinance, $15,000 was transferred from Rainy Day Fund to the Emergency Housing Loan Fund.
The council read a proclamation naming Friday as Arbor Day. The annual Arbor Day celebration will be held Friday morning at Syracuse Elementary School, from 9 to 10:30 a.m.
The Syracuse Parks Department announced several programs that will be starting soon. The Community Center will be holding a baby-sitter certification class taught by the American Red Cross Saturday. Cost is $40 per person.
A cake-decorating class will be Tuesday evenings from May 5 through May 21, 6 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20.
The Syracuse Police Department, in conjunction with the parks department, will host a "found bike" auction Saturday at the Community Center.
The Kiwanis Car Show is scheduled for May 16. Also on May 16, the Farmers and Artisan Market will be held.
In financial matters, the council approved a donation of $2,000 to the Lake Area Community Band, and also paid claims for the month of April in the amount of $466,591.12.
Syracuse Town Council members are Cassie Cowan, Brian Woody, Paul Stoelting, Bill Musser and Larry Siegel.
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