The former Shopko and Pamida property at t 1101 N. Indiana Ave., Syracuse, was recommended for rezoning. (Photo via Google Maps)

By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO — During the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting held Wednesday, April 7, the former Shopko and Pamida location in Syracuse was recommended for rezoning.

Gayle Pereria, on behalf of QES Realty, petitioned to rezone the property at 1101 N. Indiana Ave., Syracuse, from a Commercial District to an Industrial II District.

Attorney Steve Snyder explained that QES Realty is in the process of purchasing the land to lease it to Quality Engineered Services LLC. QES is an electrical parts manufacturer which currently operates in Goshen. The business has run out of room at the Goshen location and is looking to relocate to Syracuse. A site in the Syracuse Industrial Park was considered but it would not accommodate a big enough building for the business’ needs.

The former retail store has been vacant for three years and Snyder said that it does not appear to be a viable location for retail sales due to the local population density. It was noted that all manufacturing would be conducted inside the current building and no outside storage would occur.

With the move, QES is expected to grow from its current 40 employees to around 150 employees.

No public comment was made regarding the request.

“I think it’s great to get that (property) back in production and get something going there in that building,” said Boardmember Bob Conley.

The board voted unanimously to approve the request. This recommendation will go before the Syracuse Town Board at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 20.

The board also heard a request made by Tori Fehr to rezone 30.24 acres on the west side of SR 15, north of Dixie Drive in Silver Lake from a Residential District to an Agricultural District.

This request was slightly changed from Fehr’s previous request which was denied last June.

The same group of neighbors who opposed the previous request came to this meeting with many of the same concerns regarding the impact on property values, what could happen to the property in the future and the impact of live animals near or in the lake.

Due to these concerns, Fehr, via her attorney Steve Snyder, agreed to a series of restrictive covenants. These conditions allow for Fehr to have a maximum of five personal animals on her property as long as they remain out of the lake. In addition, any primitive camping is restricted to family only.

Based on these conditions, the board approved the request. This recommendation will go before the Kosciusko County Commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 22.

In other news:

• The board approved a request made by Matt and Amy Cohagan to rezone 14.41 acres at the south side of CR 200S, west of CR 400W in Warsaw from an Agricultural District to an Agricultural II District. This would allow for a maximum of a three-lot subdivision. This recommendation will go before the Kosciusko County Commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, April 22.
• Continued a request made by Edd Allen to rezone a property on the south side of Mill Street, west of US 30 in Pierceton from a Residential District to a Commercial District. Allen was not present at the meeting but an adjacent property owner brought up concerns regarding drainage and traffic. The request will be heard at the next meeting held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 5.
• Granted preliminary plat approval to Glenn Hlutke for a residential development located on the east side of CR 950E, west of CR 975 E in North Webster. This request will create a four-lot subdivision which will allow for the Hlutke’s to sell the property to multiple buyers.
• Approved an appeal to change the recorded covenants to a previously approved case regarding the property at 8041 East CR 400N, Leesburg. Alfano’s Pier and Lift currently does business at the property, but previous agreements prohibit outside storage. The board approved to allow outside storage in a fenced-in area with one boat lift and one pier section to be displayed on site.