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Neighbors split as planning commission gives unfavorable recommendation for rezoning at 7600 S. State Road 67
Summary
The Muncie Plan Commission voted an unfavorable recommendation on a request to rezone a 2‑acre parcel at 7600 South State Road 67 from farming to business variety after residents raised concerns about unregistered vehicles, traffic and unclear future uses; the case will go to the County Commissioners on Aug. 17.
The Delaware Muncie Metropolitan Planning Commission on its August docket recommended against a rezoning request for a roughly 2‑acre parcel at 7600 South State Road 67, forwarding an unfavorable recommendation to the County Commissioners. The application, filed by Integrated Solutions LLC, sought to change the property from an agricultural/farming zone to business‑variety to allow service bays, an office and future storage units.
Kathy Van Eisen of Ashton Land Surveyor presented materials and photos showing cleanup of the site and described the owner’s intent to build service bays and, later, storage units. Applicant Brent Utemark told the commission he envisions “4 bays, a display area, an office” and adding storage units over time but said the first priority was a pole‑barn type building to shelter vehicles and allow material deliveries. “I’d like to start breaking ground this fall,” he said, and estimated completion by next summer.
Several nearby residents spoke in support, saying the owner had cleaned up a previously derelict lot and that new business would raise property values. Matthew Shockley said the property “isn’t derelict anymore” and praised recent improvements. Opponents, however, raised safety and transparency concerns: Charlotte Laws said ambulances on the parcel lacked license plates and warned that if the land is rezoned and then sold “anybody can come in there and anybody can put whatever they want” under the new zoning. Other neighbors warned of traffic risks on State Road 67 and possible declines in privacy and property values.
Commissioners questioned whether a pole barn and nonbusiness vehicle storage could be constructed without rezoning and whether a showroom or business storage would require the rezoning. Counsel and staff clarified that a pole barn could be built and that vehicles not registered to a business could be stored there, but that showrooms and business storage would constitute business uses needing appropriate zoning. The commission held a roll‑call vote and the motion for a favorable recommendation failed (2 yes, 6 no); the commission then recorded an unfavorable recommendation to the County Commissioners, who will hear the case on Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. in this room.
