Kokomo council approves redevelopment resolution and multiple traffic, parking and zoning ordinances; one rezoning fails

The Kokomo Common Council adopted several ordinances and one redevelopment resolution at its meeting. Highlights include adoption of Resolution 28‑43 relating to Kokomo Redevelopment Commission allocation areas and passage of multiple traffic‑ and parking‑related ordinances; one rezoning (Ordinance 71‑86) was defeated.

Resolution 28‑43: The council approved Resolution 28‑43, which approves a declaratory resolution adopted earlier by the Kokomo Redevelopment Commission to remove certain properties from allocation areas and amend economic development plans. The council’s vote to adopt the resolution passed by voice vote.

Traffic and parking ordinances: The council passed several ordinances that amend Title 7/Chapter 78 of the Kokomo City Code (speed limits, commercial vehicle routes, limited parking, and stop signs/alleys). Those approvals were handled with motions to suspend the rules and were approved on first and second reading by voice vote; the council referred members and the public to the city website for detailed schedules showing affected streets.

Other zoning petitions: The council approved a series of rezoning petitions on first and/or second reading as part of routine zoning housekeeping. Notable items passed included: • Ordinance 71‑79 (rezoning along East Lincoln Road to institutional uses for a church; case PO7Z25) — passed on first and second reading. • Ordinance 71‑91 (rezoning property along Wheaton Road to IS institutional for a church) — passed on first and second reading. • Ordinance 71‑92 (District Flatts LLC, C‑1 to M‑3, area near South Webster and Zartman) — passed on first reading. • Ordinance 71‑93 (Community Howard Regional Health Inc., M‑2 to IS at 3520 South Street) — passed on first and second reading; several council members noted this was housekeeping to align campus parcels to institutional zoning.

Sewer ordinance first reading: Ordinance 71‑83, amending Ordinance 66‑19 to update the sewer‑use and wastewater pretreatment code to comply with Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and federal requirements, was presented and accepted on first reading; staff said the update is required to maintain the city’s IDEM permit.

Votes at a glance (selected items): • Resolution 28‑43 — Adopted (voice vote) • Ordinance 71‑83 — Accepted on first reading (motion carried) • Ordinance 71‑78 (speed limits; affects 14 streets) — Passed (suspension of rules; voice vote) • Ordinance 71‑87 (commercial vehicle routes; five routes affected) — Passed (suspension of rules; voice vote) • Ordinance 71‑88 (limited parking; amended to reflect South Portland) — Passed (suspension of rules; voice vote) • Ordinance 71‑89 (stop streets and alleys; four intersections affected) — Passed (suspension of rules; voice vote) • Ordinance 71‑86 (rezoning 501 James Drive to allow drive‑through) — Failed (5‑4; detailed hearing and public comment; separate article) • Ordinance 71‑79 (rezone to IS for 204 & 212 E. Lincoln Rd; case PO7Z25) — Passed (first and second reading) • Ordinance 71‑91 (rezoning to IS along Wheaton Road) — Passed (first and second reading) • Ordinance 71‑92 (District Flatts LLC: C‑1 to M‑3 near South Webster and Zartman) — Passed (first reading) • Ordinance 71‑93 (Community Howard Regional Health Inc.: M‑2 to IS at 3520 S. Street) — Passed (first and second reading)

Most of the traffic and parking measures were presented as city code schedule amendments; the council repeatedly moved to suspend the rules and approved the ordinances by voice vote, with members and staff directing readers to the city website for detailed street lists and schedules. Only the 71‑86 rezoning drew extended public comment and a roll‑call vote.