County Council approves rezoning for 70-acre industrial area along Fillmore Road
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Summary
The Saint Joseph County Council voted 9-0 to rezone about 70 acres along Fillmore Road from agricultural to industrial (Bill 49-25), clearing the way for a NIPSCO facility and potential supplier parcels; the decision drew opposition from residents who warned of industrial sprawl and property-value impacts.
The Saint Joseph County Council on July 8 voted 9-0 to rezone roughly 70 acres near Fillmore Road from Agricultural to Industrial, approving Bill 49-25.
The change, petitioned by the county commissioners and redevelopment commission, applies the IEC (Industrial Employment Center) overlay to five parcels and is intended to allow a small NIPSCO facility on a southwest corner lot and future industrial or supplier uses on adjoining land. The Area Plan Commission recommended the rezoning by a 7-2-1 vote, and council members said the IEC overlay limits several heavy industrial uses.
Sean Klein, director of the Area Plan Commission, told the council the site lies in the IEC core development area and would become subject to that overlay’s development standards if rezoned. “Per the site plan provided, it does show the immediate intent of this rezoning is to establish a NIPSCO facility on that smaller parcel,” Klein said. Economic development planner Terry O’Brien said the county has contacted landowners in the core development area about potential infrastructure and that two small parcels had already been acquired to support the project.
Opponents at the public hearing said the rezoning continues industrial conversion of agricultural land and risks lower property values and increased traffic. Dan Caruso of New Carlisle called it “industrial sprawl” and urged the council to stop further expansions. Steve Francis and other residents asked why industrial setbacks are 50 feet and urged protections similar to recent solar setback changes.
Council members and staff said the rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan and the IEC overlay’s limits. Klein noted that the IEC overlay specifically prohibits uses such as slaughterhouses, confined animal feeding operations, sewage treatment plants, coal and nuclear power plants, junk salvage yards, metal shredders and landfills. Councilman Thomas, whose district includes the property, said he supported the rezoning because it lies inside the IEC core and is intended to concentrate industrial development.
A motion to approve Bill 49-25 was made by Councilman Tanner, seconded by Councilman Catanzarite, and passed on a roll call vote of 9-0. The rezoning will allow the subdivision of the parcels to create the NIPSCO lot and a new road (Supplier Village Drive) to serve future industrial lots. Implementation will proceed through the county’s subdivision and plan-review permitting process, which staff said will address site access, utilities and stormwater requirements.
Background materials provided at the hearing list the affected addresses and show the parcel layout; the APC record notes four public remonstrances at the APC hearing primarily citing conversion of agricultural land. The council’s action does not itself approve any future site plans or special uses beyond the zoning change.
