Plan Commission met tonight. John Setty presented a preliminary plan for the development of property (basically the undeveloped portion of the Stop The Quarry Annexed area. This property has approximately 300 acres and it will be developed in phases. Some of the area has already been zoned for business development several years ago. That area is near the new mortuary with an entrance from 231. The basic farmland runs from just north of Cemetery Road (behind the Oliver development) clear up to Beagle Club Road and it will be entered from both of those roads. Mr. Setty was presenting this for the proposed developer, but is also Mr. Sinclair’s spokesperson. The developer wants to do a Planned Urban Development. Dennis gave an example of a well planned PUD, the Village of West Clay (I believe that was the name) and Mr. Yackey gave an example of a PUD in Indy as an example of what not to do.
There was one neighboring resident who was very concerned about the development as it stands to have mixed housing that would include condos/apartments as well as entry level homes. But with the explanation, examples and assurance from the board that this was all preliminary and that there will be hearings for new zoning ordinances with protection of home values built in, etc. I think he went away with some of his concerns assuaged. Of course, we have all heard that before (where are all those pretty lakes and fine homes up at Stardust Hills?), but this time, I feel there is hope. More later as to why.
Mr. Setty also advised that the Casey’s gas station people have purchased the old Arendt house south of them and will be expanding their business. Apparently, the structure and/or condition of the house does not warrant it being moved to a new lot, so it will be bulldozed down. 
Like many, I always hate to see old houses and old trees come down, but apparently, it wasn’t worth saving. However, with talk from the Board and Mr. Yackey, their newly appointed attorney, about the need to press forth with revamping our zoning laws, perhaps we can save the homes south of that area from further encroachment of that sort of development by better planning and zoning laws appropriate for each segment of the town. I would love to see them put an overlay of the “village” section of Cloverdale that would protect the good points of a small town while allowing uses that would help it to thrive and get people walking to shops along our sidewalks. Surely, we can come up with growth and change without allowing something ugly or uncomfortable to live next to.
Now, back to why I think there is hope for the future. I feel that the new Plan commision and Town Council members are going to find it very easy to work together and can develop some camaraderie. In addition, Mr. Yackey will push them to meet and set deadlines to get their work done. In fact, they set a deadline for the new ordinances to be done by the end of this calendar year. He has experience doing this and in fact, had copies of Avon and Danville to be copied. He worked on Avon, but it didn’t have a downtown to begin so the Board will also have Danville’s to look at and possibly Nashville. Another thing that Yackey mentioned was the fact that Cloverdale has a bit of time on their side as compared to Avon, who had to play catch up with the growth. Apparently, the intersection of 39 and I-70 will be bringing some big box stores. Mr. Yackey predicted that they will draw employees who will not be able to afford property in Avon or Plainfield and therefore will be moving our way. Therefore, the Plan Commission will be meeting in three weeks to begin their review of the ordinances. Their homework is to look over the sample ordinances, both of which are over 200 pages, I think. If you want to look at the ordinances, I hyperlinked them to the names of the towns, however, the hyperlink is very faint.
Not much on the BZA, but they did right a wrong, but I will let that one set for awhile.
Keith Bodnarick came to both meetings tonight, so I am assuming the Banner has given him our beat. He wasn’t at the Town Council meeting last night. You may have seen Keith on the boards at the Putnam County Playhouse where he also serves on the Board. (No, I am not being redundant-I mean he acts onstage and serves on the Board) He also has some relatives in our town, so isn’t a complete Cloverdale virgin. You can see his blog here.
