Nothing seems to pack a meeting room quicker or more fully than a contentious zoning issue. City and county councils discuss budgets or talk about important policies and hardly anyone shows up to talk about those. But, we have noticed that zoning issues often draw a crowd.
That occurred again Monday when the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners revisited a zoning request to allow the Martin’s Animal Bedding business to move from property along Ind. 119 to property along C.R. 17 south of C.R. 38. Neighbors of the business spoke up about their concerns and what they think will be negative impacts on their property and lives. But there were also accusations made that didn’t hold any water.
Ultimately the request was granted by virtue of a 2-1 vote by the commissioners.
We like to see this kind of citizen participation. Even questions and presentations in opposition that may be inaccurate to any given zoning situation are welcome because they often make zoning officials, the petitioners and county commissioners consider “what ifs.” And those “what ifs” should be part of every zoning decision.
We know the neighbors of the new Martin’s location are not happy with the commissioners’ decision to allow the rezoning, but our experience with reporting on zoning issues is that the end result is never as bad as expected.
A perfect example of this is the Waterford Commons subdivision on Goshen’s south side. The massive development has still not been completed more than 20 years after long zoning hearings were held with angry opponents voicing predictions that it would turn into an inglorious neighborhood. Instead, it has blossomed into the modern multi-use development that its planners envisioned. It has mobile homes, manufactured homes, apartments, duplexes, a school, an assisted living community and a nursing home.
All the residences look good and the residents are proud of their neighborhood, as they should be. But we remember when people in Goshen predicted Waterford Commons would become an “aluminum ghetto.” That hasn’t happened and we don’t ever see that as being a possibility.
We don’t know what the future holds for Martin’s Animal Bedding, but we think now that the decision has been made, the owners should make an effort to keep their neighbors involved and informed as construction begins. And on the other side of the fence, the neighbors should reconsider their positions and welcome this small business to the neighborhood.
It may be obvious to say so, but we think it takes two to make good neighbors.
Opinion
Zoning issues have a way of packing meeting rooms
- Opinion
-
-
Goshen neighborhood stands together on north side
Sometimes a news photographer is at the optimum location at exactly the right time. Goshen News staffer Sam Householder was in such a spot Wednesday.
-
We just can’t thank our moms enough
The purpose of this editorial is quite simple. We just want to say, “Thanks, mom.” And by “mom” we mean all of the great mothers in our community who have gone above and beyond to lead the way in the development of their children.
-
Letter carriers help to Stamp Out Hunger
There’s still time to help someone you probably don’t know.
-
Farmers are positive this will be the year
Farmers and Cub fans have something in common. They are eternally positive and expect a better season next year.
-
It's time to spruce up the Maple City
This is the season and today is the day, finally.
-
Smooth sailing for this year’s regular session
The final gavel has fallen on the 2013 regular session of Indiana’s General Assembly. During the 14-week session, our lawmakers passed nearly 300 pieces of legislation, including the state’s $30 billion biennial budget that contains the largest tax cut in state history.
-
Palm Sunday tornadoes a reminder of sudden danger
It was a beautiful day, most people around these parts who can remember will tell you. It was one of those near-perfect, early spring days, they would likely say, a stark contrast to what early evening would bring on April 11, 1965.
Yes, the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak of 1965, is still very vivid in our local history five decades later. Those were days before Doppler Radar, 24-7 cable television, countywide siren warning systems and even seatbelts in most cars. So, when afternoon turned to early evening, many local residents had little or no warning that killer tornadoes were nearly on top of them. -
Graduation is always a great achievement
While many of us have been waiting patiently – some not so patiently – for spring to finally show up in Northern Indiana, students throughout the area have been busy working on term papers, taking tests and ordering caps and gowns.
-
Carl Weaver has inspired many at GHS
Goshen High School teacher Carl Weaver has created one of the most successful science program in the United States, and we, on behalf of the thousands of students who have experienced the program, thank him.
- Don't let acts of terror crimp life's positives
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
