The Knox City Planning Commission recommends the rezoning of 16 acres of land in the Knox Industrial Park from residential to light manufacturing to accommodate a proposed business expansion. Planning Commission President Jeff Berg says the existing Traffic Control Specialists, Inc. facility on 300 South/Klockner Drive is bursting at the seams. He says they want to expand into a new building at the corner of Pacific Avenue/50 South and 250 East.
TCS specializes in work zone safety and is a leading provider of signs and service throughout northern Indiana. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says their business will not detract from the surrounding residential area. He says they’re looking at construction of a 30,000 square foot building with the remaining land to be used for storage and materials.
The land is currently zoned R1 residential. That’s a throwback to what Weaver calls “spot zoning.” That’s construction of a house on a strip of land without any utilities or consideration for how the construction fits with the rest of the area. He says rezoning the property to accommodate TCS fits with the goal of keeping whole, contiguous tracts of land in the Knox Industrial Park.
Weaver adds trees shielding the property from neighboring homes will remain. He adds traffic in and out of the site will use 50 South. He adds the proposed expansion will allow TCS room to expand its sign shop and sales divisions. None of this should be disruptive to residents who live nearby.
The planning commission unanimously recommended the zoning change. It still requires final approval from the Knox City Council.
