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Votes at a glance: Muncie council confirms land bank appointment, passes annexation and technical ordinances, introduces school-parking change
Summary
At its Feb. 3 meeting the Muncie Common Council confirmed a Land Bank appointment, approved two annexations and two technical ordinances, introduced a school-parking ordinance, and left another zoning ordinance tabled. One ordinance was withdrawn.
The Muncie Common Council on Feb. 3 handled a mix of appointments, ordinance adoptions and introductions. Highlights:
- John West appointed to the Muncie Land Bank. The council voted to confirm Dr. John West, who described himself as chair of the urban planning department and an urban planning professor and said he has worked with the Land Bank for seven years. The motion to nominate West was seconded and the council voiced its approval.
- Annexation: Ordinance 31-24 (Annexation Area Number 3, city-owned parcel near Farmington neighborhood) was adopted by roll call earlier in the meeting.
- Floodplain ordinance: Ordinance 1-25, an update to Chapter 159 (Floodplain Management) of the Muncie Code of Ordinances, was adopted to keep the city compliant with updated FEMA and Indiana Department of Natural Resources requirements so property owners can continue to participate in the federal flood insurance program. Alan Wisely, assistant city attorney, explained the update during the meeting.
- Alley vacation: Ordinance 2-25, vacating a public alley in the John J. Perkins addition (an alley paved over and used as part of Avondale United Methodist Church’s parking lot), was adopted after the church’s attorney, Alan Wisely, said property owners had signed off and the church would retain access.
- Zoning: Ordinance 3-25, a rezoning on the northwest corner of West Memorial Drive and South Sampson Avenue to allow mixed commercial and residential reuse, was introduced and approved on a voice vote after the applicant, Jacob Wagner (listing broker, representing the East Central Indiana Regional Planning Commission), described plans to refurbish the building for apartments with ground-floor commercial space.
- School parking: Ordinance 6-25 (Burris Laboratory School parking) was introduced. Chief Nathan Sloan and Assistant Principal Ben Macca explained the existing practice of issuing street parking permits to students who choose not to purchase on-campus parking; the ordinance would codify the process for approving students’ street permits and the city’s role in enforcing those permits.
- Withdrawn and tabled items: Ordinance 5-25 (parking payment location/distribution) was withdrawn by the sponsor. Tabled ordinance 27-24 (a zoning amendment for parcels on East Centennial Avenue) remained on the table; the council did not take it up.
Ending: Several items passed with little debate; council members asked staff for follow-up where technical details or budget implications remain (notably annexation revenues and Medic 7 staffing). The land bank appointment and the floodplain update were noted as administrative but important to ongoing city operations.
