Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Commercial Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lucky Central proposal: developer seeks subdivision and INDOT access permit for gas station on US 41; staff flag floodplain and sidewalk waiver
Summary
Planning staff presented a one‑lot subdivision and proposed Lucky Central convenience store/gas station at the US 41/85th Avenue area (to become 8575 S. Wicker Ave). The applicant has prior BZA variances, submitted engineering and a traffic study, expects an INDOT permit (likely requiring median delineators), and proposed filling an existing ditch and adding landscaping; a flood study by a subconsultant is on file.
Planning staff presented the Lucky Central one‑lot subdivision and commercial development at a study session on Jan. 7, describing a convenience‑store/gas‑station project proposed for the east side of US 41, immediately north of 85th Avenue (the address will be 8575 S. Wicker Ave once recorded). "This is a 1 lot subdivision and a proposed development at, currently unaddressed parcel on the East Side of US 40 immediately north of 85th Avenue," the presenter said, identifying the petitioner as Mr. Manhany and noting the operator runs multiple convenience stores in Indiana and Illinois.
The presenter told the commission that the Board of Zoning Appeals had earlier granted a use variance required for any gas station in the town and supplemental development variances, and that a full engineering package and traffic study have been submitted for staff review. "We do expect that INDOT will require median delineators on US 41 to prevent left turns out of this development," the presenter said, and added that INDOT review times are typically slow; staff expects the applicant to seek approval in about six weeks contingent on obtaining the INDOT permit.
On site design, staff highlighted landscaping and drainage changes: the developer intends to pipe water along the north edge of the proposed detention pond, fill an unsightly ditch that currently bounds the property along US 41, and create a landscaped front yard. "The front yard will finally look like a front yard," the presenter said, describing the visual improvement expected when the project is complete.
The commission and staff reviewed technical comments: fire had no permitting objections but requested a hydrant shutoff valve near the building, public works recommended an auto‑flush valve where the water main dead‑ends, and staff noted they may request a waiver for sidewalks along US 41 while providing sidewalk toward 85th Avenue where sidewalk currently terminates. The presenter said the waiver rationale rests on the existing, well‑developed sidewalk network on the west side of US 41 and the difficulty of building a patchwork sidewalk network on the east side that would cut through private parking areas.
Commissioners asked about floodplain status. The presenter confirmed the site is in a floodplain and said a flood study done by a subconsultant has been submitted and is on file; the presenter and an unidentified reviewer said the study was well prepared, that the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) determinations were sensible, and that a letter of map revision based on fill could be pursued to formalize any changes to flood mapping.
The applicant will return for a public hearing after resolving INDOT access comments, and staff will incorporate any feedback from the traffic and engineering reviews into the final submittal.
