Whitestown approves two Legacy Core rezonings after extended debate and public comment

The Whitestown Town Council on April 8 approved two separate rezoning requests affecting the town’s Legacy Core area after lengthy debate and public input.

At the start of the meeting’s zoning items, Todd Barker, director of development services, summarized a Running Ventures request to rezone 65 East Pier Street from I‑1 to Legacy Core. Barker said the Plan Commission recommended approval with use restrictions (for example, permitting a Class‑A restaurant and limiting certain high‑intensity uses). Steve Harren of Running Ventures told the council the developer seeks adaptive reuse of the existing building into a family‑oriented restaurant and entertainment venue with indoor/outdoor recreation and roughly 22 parking spaces. Harren emphasized neighborhood outreach, saying the team held a March neighborhood meeting with about 25 attendees.

Council members debated whether to insist on the Plan Commission’s conditions or accept a straight LC rezoning. Concerns included future drive‑throughs and preserving appropriate uses in the core; proponents cited revitalization potential and the small‑town, walkable goals in the comprehensive plan. After discussion the council approved the rezoning to Legacy Core without the Plan Commission’s restrictions (voice vote recorded as 5‑0).

Later the council considered a separate request to rezone 206 and 208 South Bower Street from R‑3 (medium‑density single‑family) to Urban Business so a local operator could convert two derelict houses into a small market and an ice‑cream parlor with an event room and light on‑site production and limited wholesale sales. The petitioner described a site plan that includes a new sidewalk connection to nearby Panther Park, 13 parking spaces and privacy fencing to reduce impacts on adjacent homes.

Public comment on the Bower Street matter ran long and largely supportive: Braden Nicholson, a nearby property owner, said he and his family “are fully in support” and agreed in writing to sidewalk placement; John Mlean spoke on behalf of other neighbors in favor; Cara Sutton, owner of a nearby coffeehouse, said the project would add a family‑friendly destination and praised the applicants’ community engagement. Several council members said they share concern about spot zoning but also acknowledged the historic lack of commercially suitable, developable parcels in the Legacy Core. After discussion the council adopted Ordinance 2026‑17 rezoning the two Bower Street parcels to commercial on a 4‑1 vote.

What happens next: Both rezones are now enacted. Developers and applicants said they will continue to finalize development plans with town staff and work with neighbors on details such as fencing and parking.