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Town Council Still Debating Position on Zores
(posted Sept 23)
Speedway resident Sue Jent asked Speedway Town Councilors and town officials
to be "proactive" and to step in as remonstrators to block Zore's
variance request to build a 7,200 square foot recycling facility at 1300
N. Mickley. Zore's Metropolitan Development Board of Zoning Appeals variance
hearing is scheduled for October 21 at the City County Building. Jent raised
the zoning issue at the last council meeting and asked council for feedback
for the September 22 meeting. The council did not officially take a position
since the town manager is still researching the issue.
It is Jent's opinion that truck traffic will increase if the recycling
facility is built. She thinks the business will expand, thus bringing in
more suppliers and materials. She said the facility will handle non-ferrous
materials in addition to the towing service.
Although Zore's is not located in Speedway, three residents told the council
how the facility's noise and traffic impacted the neighborhood as trucks
use Cunningham Road, Cadillac, and 16th Street. It is not a cut and dry
situation for the council to resolve. Council President Gary Raikes also
indicated that Indianapolis has control over some of the roads in Speedway.
Town Manager Barbara Lawrence said she is looking into the issues. She
said it is difficult issue because Zore's is not in Speedway and its board
of zoning appeals has no control over the issue. From the information that
Lawrence gathered, the proposed recycling prefabricated facility is not
an expansion of business, but just bring the recycling into an enclosed
facility because metals are becoming a valuable commodity for theft. Lawrence
said the business has been functioning since the mid 1940s before the inception
of modern zoning standards. "It is not an issue short on complications,"
she said.
Lawrence said she needed to do some more research to develop a more comprehensive
report to submit to the council.
Juanita Meko said the constant vibrations from the truck traffic will weaken
her home's foundation. She said when she moved to1631 Cunningham Road 53
years ago that truck traffic was not allowed. She is concerned about the
value of her home. She blamed the truck vibrations as the cause for her
chandelier to break from her ceiling.
Local resident Cindy Lamb said she has some frustration with the traffic
and wanted to know who handles traffic issues.
Raikes said "you described it, we are your elected officials and we
are here to help you." The council still has one more meeting before
October 21 to determine the action they want to take.
Councilor Jeff Hartman contended the traffic will still be an issue even
if the variance is denied.
Bill Suffel said he is working with Lawrence to look at the road conditions
and traffic count.
Melinda Willoughby, resident of 1818 Georgetown Road, opposed the vacation
of Georgetown Road. She asked the road to be extended into the proposed
roundabout. Raikes encouraged her to share her opinion with Speedway Redevelopment
Commissioners.
Hartman asked the council to look into ordinances about the removal of
port-o-lets from property used for vending and parking during races. He
was concerned the port-o-lets would be visible all summer as the number
of races grow at the IMS.
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