$100 million development planned along Sycamore
Also, KPD officer arrested for Invasion of Privacy; two killed in golf cart accident
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The north side of Kokomo is booming. Hot on the heels of the StarPlus Energy electric vehicle battery plant comes multiple developments designed to accommodate the thousands of workers who will eventually call the city home.
At the Sept. 12 Kokomo Plan Commission meeting, developer Birch Dalton of Westfield unveiled a massive mixed-use development, occupying 64 acres of land once devoted to Delco Park along East Sycamore Road. The development will add market-rate apartments, duplexes, and townhomes around the existing Bent Creek subdivision, along with a commercial complex, featuring professional offices, retail spaces, and restaurants.
Dalton estimated the development cost at $100 million with a construction timeframe of five to seven years.
“I grew up in Kokomo, and I remember the old Delco Park in the ‘60s and ‘70s,” said Dalton. “I remember this property well. I think one of the key aspects of the development is we're going to leave all the private area around the Wildcat Creek undeveloped, but we’ll improve the trails.”
The development is designed to leave the Bent Creek subdivision as undisturbed as possible. The street and cul-de-sac currently in place won’t be altered, so that increased traffic won’t inundate the neighborhood. And the nearby Body Unlimited Fitness Center, occupying the former Delco Park lodge, will be incorporated into the development.
“It really reaches a wide range of housing needs, from people who want to rent apartments to people who want to have a little more space,” said Dalton. “Our goal is to preserve a lot of this great view of nature. We consider that an amenity.
“Another amenity out there is the fitness center. As part of our good-neighbor community, we will rebuild the fitness center in the commercial area so he can keep his customers and grow his business.”
The commercial area, which would occupy the land nearest to Ind. 931, is planned to include 40,000 square feet of retail space, which will include the fitness center, restaurants, professional offices, indoor pickleball courts, and perhaps a hotel. Dalton explained that a similar development exists in Fishers, Ind., called The Yard.
“It's a very cool nine-acre area where they have a multitude of restaurants, butcher shops, stores,” said Dalton. “It's this little urban hub and has apartments above the first-floor retail. I think this is a chance to really build some momentum. We feel that we can add some energy to the north side.”
The planned development did receive a bit of feedback from nearby residents. The developer held a neighborhood meeting earlier this month to address concerns. The residents worried about traffic, which is addressed by not connecting Bent Creek to the new residential developments. They also expressed concerns about the size of the townhomes, which will be one- and two-story units with one or two bedrooms.
“We believe communication is key,” said Dalton. “We had about 25 people show up to the meeting, and two or three opposed the development. But the majority were very excited about it.”
Discussion also was had about connecting the proposed commercial development to Moe’s River Room to the south. Dalton said the developers are eager to find ways to be good neighbors and help the surrounding businesses thrive.
The plan commission had to approve two rezonings on the project, eventually zoning it as PD, or Planned Development. The measures passed unanimously. Next up will be site plan approval, which will take place at a later date.
In other plan commission action, the board approved rezoning of a plot of land in the 1600 block of South Elizabeth Street for construction of a 66-unit market-rate apartment complex. The rezoning passed, though the developer will have to petition the Kokomo Board of Zoning Appeals for a special exception related to parking.
The development also will have to receive site plan approval at a later date.
The board also approved rezoning for the development of two hotels along Faith Road on the city’s north side. The project passed the board of zoning appeals last week with special exceptions to building height and parking. With the rezoning, this project moves to site plan approval at a later date.
Finally, the plan commission approved a one-year extension for recording the plat on phase two of the Abby Place subdivision. The project was approved for construction last year, but the developer has had difficulty securing contractors to complete the work. Since local ordinance requires the plat to be recorded within one year of approval, an extension was necessary.
KPD officer arrested for Invasion of Privacy
On Sept. 8, 2023, the Kokomo Police Department took a report of invasion of privacy. A female called police to report her husband showed up at her residence on Sept. 7, 2023, which violated an active court ordered protective order.
The Kokomo Police Department immediately investigated this complaint. Through evidence gathered from the investigation, a case was generated and forwarded to the Howard County Prosecutor’s Office requesting a warrant for the individual.
On Sept. 12, 2023, Superior Court 3 Judge Douglas Tate issued a warrant for 39-year-old Travis C. Williams for Invasion of Privacy, a Class A Misdemeanor. Williams was taken into custody by the Kokomo Police Department and transported to the Howard County Criminal Justice Center for processing.
Williams is a 15-year veteran of the Kokomo Police Department. Williams was immediately placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of this investigation. Remember all defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Two killed in golf cart accident
On Sept. 10, 2023, at approximately 5:45 p.m., the Howard County 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a motor vehicle accident involving a passenger car and a golf cart occupied by two elderly subjects on Touby Pike near CR 325 N. Howard County Sheriff’s deputies along with paramedics from Ascension St. Vincent and members of the Galveston Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the scene.
Preliminary Investigation reveals that a red 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by 20-year-old Cole R. Byrd of Kempton, Ind., was traveling northbound on Touby Pike when it collided with a northbound golf cart driven in the same lane by 83-year-old Richard L. Calloway and occupied by 75-year-old Elaine M. Calloway, both of Kokomo. Howard County Sheriff Accident Reconstructionist were called to process the scene and will provide a final outcome when the investigation is complete.
Upon the deputies’ arrival, medical personnel were providing life-saving efforts to Richard and tending to Elaine’s injuries. Despite those efforts, Richard was later pronounced deceased on scene. Elaine was subsequently flown by medical helicopter to an area hospital for treatment. However, Elaine later succumbed to her injuries.
Cole was transported to an area hospital where he consented to blood draw as required by Indiana Law for all serious and fatal motor vehicle accidents.
An autopsy was scheduled for Sept. 11 for Richard under the direction of the Howard County Coroner’s Office. This case remains under investigation by the Howard County Sheriff’s Office and Howard County Coroner’s Office. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cpl. Brackett at 765-614-3488, by submitting a tip using our mobile app or at www.sheriff.howardcountyin.gov. The Howard County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by the aforementioned entities along with the Indiana State Police.