Discussions continue for a proposed rezoning of the former Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac.
The Town’s Plan Commission met on Monday. No action was planned for the site following a rejection of Pulaski County’s current proposal to move the site from an Industrial Zoning to a Residential Zoning.
Pulaski County CDC Executive Director Nathan Origer says he believes there are several members willing to work with the county. The Plan Commission, however, requested that an offer be available prior to completing any zoning requests.
“I’m not going to try to read their minds and say what they will do, but I have no doubt they will work with us on something when that point arrives,” says Origer.
The County Home, as it’s called, is up for sale after closing its doors as a Senior Living Facility. Officials working on the sale, however, believe their best option for a potential sale lies in turning the site into a home or apartment building.
Winamac Plan Commission members have objected to the maneuver as spot zoning due to its proximity to industrial and agriculturally zoned land.
Origer says that waiting until a proposal to purchase the site is on the table will make it difficult to sell the site.
“The way it is structured, the way it is setup, the way it is laid out, it is not ideal for manufacturing purposes or warehousing purposes,” says Origer. “Those are the kinds of uses that are permissible in an Industrial Zone – which is how it is currently zoned.”
As things stand, information is now being passed to the Pulaski County Commissioners for further consideration.
Options are still available to utilize variances granted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for the site. Future discussions are anticipated.
