County council approves tax phase-in for Scannell Properties/TaylorMade; MOA to be finalized by commissioners

Vanderburgh County Council voted unanimously on April 1 to confirm an economic revitalization area and a property-tax phase-in for Scannell Properties and TaylorMade at 6700 Petersburg Road, a measure the council limited to confirmation pending a memorandum of agreement the county commissioners must approve.

Pat Hickey, director of economic development at EREP, presented the project’s economic case, saying it represents "$60,000,000 in projected new property investment," and includes preservation of about 150 existing jobs, creation of roughly 40–45 new, above-average-wage positions and support for 300 construction jobs with an estimated $26 million in construction labor income and $17 million in annual labor income once operational.

Neighbors who live adjacent to the site raised concerns during public comment. Heath Hamilton, a nearby resident representing a neighborhood group called Petersburg Prosperity, said the group — which he said represents 70–75 households — wants concrete protections written into the MOA, including a land berm, restrictions on 24/7 lighting, a taller fence or sound wall, and a dense native-tree buffer. "The concessions that we're asking for compared to this tax abatement are minimal in monetary value, but mean a great deal to all of us residents," Hamilton said.

Developer representatives described several commitments being negotiated. Alex Miller of KSM location advisors said the MOA includes signage restricting truck turns, commitments to preserve existing tree lines and to plant native vegetation, and a planned 6-foot privacy fence with slats. Justin Olashik of Canal Properties described site constraints that limit a berm but noted the finished floor elevation will sit well below adjacent grades; he told the council the company will "pull" a fence line closer to the property to maximize screening and that lighting will be designed so measured illumination at the residential property line is effectively zero.

County staff and commissioners’ representatives emphasized the timing and process. Jeff (county staff) explained that the MOA must be executed and approved by the commissioners before it becomes effective; Mike Shotmire, speaking for the commissioners, said negotiations are treated as confidential during recruitment but pledged the MOA would be made available to neighbors "a couple weeks in advance" of the commissioners’ meeting.

The council’s vote confirmed resolution CODashRDash04Dash26Dash009 declaring the economic revitalization area and authorizing the tax phase-in for rehabilitation and new equipment at the site. President Montroseff called the roll and the record shows seven yes votes and zero nays.

The council noted that final enforcement of the negotiated concessions depends on the text of the MOA and subsequent commissioner approval; neighbors were encouraged to attend the commissioners’ meeting to review the finalized agreement.