Planning commission recommends C-3 rezoning on S. Carlisle for proposed Dunkin' Donuts and strip mall

The Vigo Area Planning Commission recommended rezoning three parcels on the east side of South Carlisle Street from R-1 single-family residential to C-3 regional commercial to allow development of a strip mall that would include a Dunkin' Donuts with a drive-through, planning staff said.

Staff described the area as primarily suburban residential with limited commercial zoning nearby and said the rezoning request received a favorable recommendation with conditions. Staff listed conditions including combining parcels into a single lot, securing road-cut permits and engineering improvements along Highway 41 as required by MDOT, and commercial drive-cut permits and engineering improvements along Carlisle as required by Vigo County Engineering.

A neighbor, Kara Scott, who lives across Gilchrist Street near the intersection, told the commission the crossing at Highway 41 is already hazardous. "The crossing at 41 is already pretty dangerous with no light. The cars a lot of traffic comes through very fast on 41 there. So we've we've witnessed... a lot of accidents, pedestrians being hit," Scott said, and said she worries increased cross traffic and light pollution will affect the nearby homes.

Staff noted that the site will require a stormwater and drainage plan, hard-surface parking, and public water and sewer connections. The existing home at 6700 South Carlisle Street will be demolished as part of the proposal, staff said. The commission voted to recommend the rezoning; the transcript shows the motion passed but does not show a roll-call tally. The recommendation includes the listed engineering and permit conditions before development may proceed.