Attica planning commission recommends rezoning of former elementary school amid neighborhood noise concerns

The Advisory Plan Commission of Attica voted to send a favorable recommendation to the city council on a petition to rezone the former elementary school for a mixed-use project that would include ground-floor commercial space, a roughly 35-room hotel and an event center using the school gym and adjacent football field.

Neighbors and long-time residents delivered sharply divided testimony at the continuation hearing. "I've lived here for almost 50 years… I just don't think it's a good thing," said Sue Ward, who identified herself as a resident of 505 Street and said she feared noise, disrespectful visitor behavior and impacts to property values. Brett Robertson of 500 East Monroe warned that modified engines and open headers could keep neighbors awake “until 2 to 3:00 in the morning,” noting the town ordinance’s 10 p.m. curfew and arguing the project could depress home prices.

Other residents pushed for compromise and alternatives. Jack Kirsten of 509 East Washington proposed rezoning the street-facing parcels to R-1 (residential) while placing B-2 (business) zoning toward the highway, and urged preserving the football field for public use. "We support finding a productive use for this property — we simply believe it should be done in a way that respects the residents who have invested in the neighborhood," a resident said during public comment.

The applicant, who addressed the commission but did not give a full name for the record, described the proposal as a risk-driven redevelopment intended to fill a long-vacant building and draw visitors to support local businesses. The applicant said many aspects were not guaranteed and that the plan needed flexibility to be financially viable. "There is absolutely no guarantees," the applicant told the commission, while explaining that much of the existing concrete structure would be reused and that water damage is the primary risk if action is delayed.

Commission members worked through the four required findings of fact. After debate, the commission voted that the rezoning would not adversely affect the character of the district; that the amendment reflected a desirable use because of local ownership and potential investment; and that it would not adversely affect conservation of property values. For the comprehensive plan finding, commissioners concluded the parcel was not specifically anticipated in Attica’s comprehensive plan and made no adverse finding on that criterion.

During final remarks, Commissioner Cindy Mason (speaking during the vote) and others urged negotiation of a reverter provision between the school corporation and the developer as a protective option if the project did not materialize or the property sat vacant; Barrs clarified a reverter would be a private agreement between the seller (school corporation) and the developer, not something the city itself would unilaterally impose.

The commission then moved and seconded a favorable recommendation to the common council. The voice vote produced a majority in favor; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally by name. The council is scheduled to rule on the rezoning at its next meeting.

The decision sets up a council hearing where members will consider the commission’s recommendation, the public record and any private covenants (such as a reverter) the parties may negotiate. If approved and implemented, the project would convert portions of the school to lodging and commercial uses while proposals remain for how to treat the football field and portions of the parcel adjacent to the highway.

What’s next: the Attica common council will consider the rezoning petition at its upcoming meeting; any negotiated reverter would be a private agreement between the school corporation and the developer and is not required by the city.