The Gary Common Council voted 9-0 on June 3 to refer three pending zoning ordinances back to the planning and development committee for further review and scheduled committee and public hearings.

Attorney Molina told the council that, because two petitioners did not attend the committee meeting and one requested more time, the planning committee recommended returning CPO 2025-32, CPO 2025-33 and CPO 2025-34 to committee. The ordinances involve requests for special uses: a property at 2601 East 15th Avenue for light manufacturing related to auto body equipment (CPO 2025-33), and property at 3930 West Fifth Avenue for an auto dealership (CPO 2025-34); CPO 2025-32 was discussed in committee but the petitioner was not prepared.

Councilman Roosevelt Washington moved that the three items be returned to the planning committee with a committee hearing scheduled Wednesday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. and a public hearing on Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. The motion passed by roll call vote, 9-0.

Next steps: The planning and development committee will rehear the items and receive petitioners and public testimony at the scheduled dates. Council members directed staff to provide additional information to the committee prior to the hearings.