Three developments for north side advance

Recycler, apartments, convenience store pass muster at zoning appeals

The Kokomo Board of Zoning Appeals gave an approving nod to three potential new developments for the north side of the city on March 1. If everything goes as planned, a new convenience store, a 12-unit apartment complex, and a recycler of post-industrial plastics will call Kokomo home.

The convenience store is planned for the northwest corner of Smith Road and Washington Street, adjacent to the Abby Place sub-division. The developer came before the board of zoning appeals to ask for a variance to the city’s comprehensive plan that a building be positioned on a lot so that parking is located behind it.

The planned home for a new convenience store at Smith and Washington

As plan commission director Greg Sheline explained, this rule generally improves the appearance of a business by preventing parked vehicles from obstructing the view of the building from the road. However, when a lot has streets bordering two sides, the rule fails.