City planning a new industrial park
Also, plan commission pumps the brakes on future warehouses, gas stations
Today’s article is brought to you by Michelle Martin for Howard County Council District 2. Remember to vote on Nov. 8. Michelle asks people who want to display her yard sign to contact her at martinhococouncil2@gmail.com
The City of Kokomo has started the process to develop new industrial park, but nearby residents are displeased with the decision. The proposed location, adjacent to the future home of the Star Plus Energy EV battery plant, was chosen to attract suppliers to the Stellantis/Samsung joint venture. But the homeowners see it as a step too far.
The Kokomo Plan Commission heard a rezoning request for nine properties from the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance at its Oct. 11 meeting. Alliance CEO Charlie Sparks revealed the city’s intentions.
“This more opportunity to establish ourselves and promote economic development related to the Star Plus Energy project,” said Sparks. “We have identified about 100 acres that we would like to have rezoned to help accommodate opportunities with potential suppliers, but also to develop a community industrial park.”
Plan commission director Greg Sheline read the commission’s findings into the record, expressing a favorable recommendation to the board. The protestations from residents began almost immediately.
“So, what are you going to do about the people who are living in this area?” asked Delores Abney, who lives on County Road 100 East near the site of the proposed Star Plus plant. “That will be close to this with all of the landfill and the battery plant and all the industrial stuff that’s going to go on behind us and around us?”
“When we get to that point, there will be site plan approvals and public hearings,” said Sheline. “That’s when drainage gets looked at. This is the process.”
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