A decision to rezone wetlands in Franklin Township will wait until a traffic study is complete.
Judy Weerts Hall, the Metropolitan Development Commission’s hearing examiner, on Aug. 27 postponed a decision on rezoning 10 acres. The owners of Punjab Property Inc., a semi-truck repair shop, want to expand their business to the area. The current zoning allows for industrial use, but not vehicle repairs. The request to adjust the zoning would allow for a sales, rental and repair facility for heavy trucks at 8600 Combs Road.
The public works department is requesting the company get a traffic operation analysis for the intersections of Stop 11 and Combs roads and County Line and Combs roads, according to city staff. At this point, though, city staff have recommended the project for denial and said they want a decision by the end of October.
“This is not something that I can hear today because there is a vital piece of information that is not going to be ready for a couple months,” said Weerts Hall.
City-County Councilor Brian Mowery, a Republican who represents the area, spoke in opposition of the project. He doesn’t think the business is a feasible use of the land due to road constrictions.
“That turning point right there is simply just too tight for something like this to go into with semis,” Mowery said.
Many residents and environmental advocates oppose the project. They fear construction on the 10-acre property would damage nearby wetlands that are part of a larger 45-acre space that many wildlife call home, including some endangered species.
The wetland is also part of a larger water system that connects to the Upper White River Watershed, which drains water from about 27 square miles throughout Marion County.
“With the recent flooding that has happened in Indiana, this is proof positive of why wetlands are so important,” said Robin Heldman, who lives beside the south side wetlands. “It’s holding and retaining water and dispersing it naturally, which has alleviated any flooding in the neighborhoods around it.”
Patrick Rooney, the attorney representing Punjab Property Inc., told Mirror Indy in May that the company would submit an updated zoning petition to the city that also preserves parts of the land.
City staff and residents said they have not received an updated project proposal.
What’s next
Wetlands Not Warehouses Franklin Township, a southside environmental advocacy group led by residents, is trying to turn the 45-acre wetland area into a nature preserve.
Heldman said the group needs around $23,000 to commission a master plan, which would allow them to apply for local and federal grants to purchase the land.
Hall will listen to a presentation for and against the wetlands Oct. 29 at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St.
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Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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