This map shows the area where a retail store might be constructed in Pierceton if zoning is approved.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — A retail store could be coming to Pierceton.

At its meeting on Monday, March 8, at the Pierceton Community Building, the Pierceton Town Council heard from engineer Andrew Rossell of AR Engineering of Kalamazoo, Mich.

He spoke on behalf of a client, whom he declined to name, who is seeking to construct a 10,000 square-foot general retail store along Mill Street and US 30 next to J. Baker Trucking. The client wants to have the area rezoned from residential to commercial.

The zoning request will come before the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission, which should be at the commission’s April 7 meeting, before being brought back before the council again.

Rossell has already talked with Town Superintendent Casey Boggs about utilities.

The council gave initial support to the rezoning.

Though the name of the store was not provided, AR Engineering’s website notes that the company “has worked on over 100 Dollar General retail developments across Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.”

The developer of the property site, Shane Coffman, is also listed in articles from various news outlets as having developed other Dollar General stores.

Pierceton already has a Dollar General at 521 S. First St.

In another issue, the council heard from Council President Tom Barker that he and Town Attorney Tammy Keirn had met with the Pierceton Park Board to discuss the structure of the board.

By current state law, the town’s board is considered a recreation board and not a park board. The town plans to adjust the board to fit the current rules for a park board.

Barker also tried to set aside talk in the town.

“If there’s any rumors going around that we’re doing away with the park board and the town is going to take it all over again, that is not correct,” added Barker.

The council also approved Cindy Kreger having another term on the park board.

In other business, the council:

• Approved using CEDIT money to pay for a rate study regarding raising wastewater rates in town. The town discussed raising rates at the end of last year to compensate for higher costs related to chemicals, testing and cleaning. The town plans to have Baker Tilly do the study.
• OK’d allowing Chelsea Creekmore to hook onto the town’s water system. She plans to put seven apartments above her business at 119 N. First St.

• Heard from resident Diana Richards. She’s seeking to repair or replace the town’s Christmas decorations through a committee. The council OK’d her working on it.

• Heard from Town Police Chief Tim Sammons that Officer Ashley Jones’ start date at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield has been moved back. She’s now to start on June 7 and finish on Sept. 17.

The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 12, at the community building.