KOKOMO — After closing a public hearing on sewer financing, the Kokomo Common Council moved through a slate of redevelopment and land-use measures and approved each by voice vote.

Resolution 28-52

Councilwoman Sandberg introduced declaratory Resolution 28-52 to create the BCG Economic Development Area and to approve an economic development plan and agreement with Brown Capital Group LLC for a multifamily development between West Morgan Street and West Judson Road. The council cited an estimated total development cost of $45,700,000 and authorized taxable economic development revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $4,800,000, to be paid from tax-increment financing (TIF) revenues. The project was also identified as the recipient of a $3,000,000 READY grant from the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council.

Zoning and rezoning measures passed

The council then considered and passed a set of ordinances affecting land use across multiple sites:

- Ordinance 72-19 (case P-26 Z-25): Daniel Fulton Trust rezone to PR (Parks and Recreation) for property at 4410 South 150 East; council adopted the ordinance as amended with conditions that the site would operate as an RV park limited to 14-day stays, required a minimum 3-day break between stays, required equipment to leave for no less than 3 days between stays, and closed the park annually from Dec. 1 through Feb. 28.

- Ordinance 72-22 (case P-27 Z-25): Rezone related to Dumpstar Indiana LLC at 2718 Zartman Road from agricultural to moderate-intensity industrial (MI) to allow storage of vehicles, boats and campers; council approved the suspension of rules and passed on first and second readings in the same meeting.

- Ordinance 72-23 (case 2-28 Z-25): Rezone for property at 901 East Sycamore Street from medium-density residential (R-3) to low-density multifamily (M-1) consistent with existing apartment use; passed after suspension of rules and combined readings.

- Ordinances 72-24, 72-25 and 72-26: A multi-step rezoning and plan-development process for a roughly 12-acre University Park mixed-use/multifamily development at Boulevard and LaFountain: 72-24 changed zoning to R-4 and N-C with a later step to M-2; 72-25 moved the M-2 zoning to a PUD; and 72-26 adopted the Village at University Park PUD zoning. Council moved to suspend rules on these items and passed them on first and second readings in the same meeting.

Public concerns and process notes

Members of the public raised traffic-visibility and safety concerns related to University Park and asked whether a traffic study had been completed; council members said traffic and ingress/egress are addressed at planning-commission development-plan review and that adjoining property owners had been notified as required. One resident objected to suspending the rules and passing first and second readings on the same night, saying neighbors may not have enough time to respond; council members said planning commission hearings had been held and adjacent owners notified.

Vote format and next steps

All listed resolutions and ordinances were moved, seconded, and approved by voice vote as recorded in the meeting transcript. Ordinances that require mayoral signature will take effect following the mayor’s action as set out in city code. Developers will proceed to planning-commission development-plan review where required before building permits or site work for commercial uses advance.

Actions at a glance

- Resolution 28-52 (BCG Economic Development Area, Brown Capital Group LLC): adopted; estimated total development cost $45,700,000; city agrees to issue up to $4,800,000 in taxable revenue bonds paid from TIF; READY grant $3,000,000.

- Ordinance 72-19: rezone to PR for Fulton property with explicit operational conditions for RV park; adopted on second reading.

- Ordinance 72-22: rezone to MI for Dumpstar Indiana LLC (storage); rules suspended and approved on first and second reading.

- Ordinance 72-23: rezone to M-1 (multifamily) for property at 901 East Sycamore Street; rules suspended and approved on combined readings.

- Ordinances 72-24, 72-25, 72-26: University Park rezoning and PUD adoption for approximately 11.97 acres; rules suspended and adopted; planning-commission development-plan review required before specific commercial tenants or building permits proceed.

Final note

Council members said additional, project-specific diligence (traffic studies, development-plan review, screening and landscaping conditions) will be required at the planning-commission stage before construction or commercial tenancy is permitted.