Area Plan Commission forwards Clinton cat-rescue rezoning to city for decision

The Vermillion County Area Plan Commission on Nov. 13 voted to forward a favorable recommendation to Clinton City for a rezoning request at 422 South Main Street in Clinton. Petition 25-04, filed by John Harvey and Michelle Winn, asks that the parcel be changed from UC (urban commercial) to GC (general commercial) to permit a combined antiques mall and indoor cat-rescue operation.

Michelle Winn, the applicant, told the commission she had completed required filings and that the business would be split so that booth rent from an on-site antique mall would subsidize operations of the cat rescue. “We’re putting in a surgery room to do spay and neuters there on-site,” Winn said, adding that she has arranged for a traveling veterinarian to support low-cost spay-and-neuter services and adoption events.

The commission opened a public hearing; Clinton’s mayor attended and said the city council would review the commission’s recommendation and the city would “make the final decision.” Following the hearing, a motion by Bob to forward a favorable recommendation to Clinton City was seconded, called for a voice vote and carried. The applicant was told the Clinton City review will be the next step in the process.

What happens next

The APC’s favorable recommendation is advisory; the Clinton City Council will take up the rezoning request at its next available meeting and make the final decision under local ordinances. The applicant said she will provide the city with required documentation and notices already filed with the county.

Quotes

“We have the deed because we just closed on the building yesterday,” Winn told the commission, describing the mixed-use plan and the nonprofit paperwork she said is pending federal approval.

The commission recommended forwarding the petition to the city; final action will be taken by the Clinton City Council.