Mishawaka annexation controversy resolved

Mishawaka Common Council approves amended ordinance

December 20, 2010|By Colleen Ferreira (cferreira@wsbt.com)

MISHAWAKA — A surprise Monday evening in the debate over development just north of Mishawaka -- specifically the northwest corner of Douglas and Fir roads.

The Mishawaka Common Council was expected to vote tonight on whether that chunk of land should be zoned and annexed for commercial purposes.

The controversy stemmed from neighbors not wanting a gas station so close to their homes and Juday Creek.

The developers announced their new plan for the property Monday night.

“There's a gas station down here, there a gas station down on the next corner, there’s two more further up the street and there’s two more down the street,” said neighbor Larry Clymer. “What do we need another one here for?"

Larry Clymer has lived in this home for 40 years.

He said the possibility of a gas station right across the street from his home simply annoys him.

The Mishawaka Common Council was expected to vote to annex and zone this piece of land for a gas station, convenience store, carwash and ATM.

Building a gas station at the northwest corner of Douglas and Fir has the potential to contaminate Juday Creek because gas spilled in the surrounding area could end up in the water.

“I’m sure they could make just as much money on something else that’s not going to endanger underground water," said neighbor Beverly Lorence.

And, it turns out, that's exactly what the developers were thinking.

George Cressy, part of the development team pushing for the gas station, said they've changed their minds.

“There were questions as to if a filling station close to Juday Creek would be problematic and we felt with the questions that were there,” Cressy said. “It was easy to do away with the option of the filling station."

The land can still be used for commercial purposes such as pharmacies, business offices or banks, but not a gas station or a car wash.

The Council voted unanimously for the amended ordinance.

“In the end, we want to do things the right way,” Cressy said. “We want to take care of our natural resources."

Cressy says it's back to the drawing board to find a potential business for that piece of land.

Neighbors we spoke with were excited about new development coming to the area; they just didn't want a gas station there.

Cressy says the decision is a win-win for everyone.

|

|

|