The condition of a North Judson auto repair shop property continues to draw concern from town officials. Now, they’re hoping zoning updates might put some teeth into enforcement efforts.
Last month, Board of Zoning Appeals Member Marv Peters voiced some concern to the town council about Mike’s Repair at the corner of State Roads 10 and 39, and asked how the town can hold the business accountable. When the discussion continued last week, Town Attorney Justin Schramm felt the town’s planning commission would be a good place to start.
He explained that the commission could review the setback requirements for properties along the highways. Requiring parked vehicles to be a certain distance from the highways would address one of the big concerns in the area. Schramm stressed that any updates could not target one specific business but would have to apply to all properties there.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe felt the zoning map is probably due for an update. “It’s been 25 years now since that was established,” he said, “and if we’re talking about putting new sidewalks in up to Wilson and then continuing that, too, it would make sense to keep those whole, nice, as opposed to being able to park cars on them, that kind of thing.”
Any changes recommended by the planning commission would then go to the town council for final approval. Peters asked the town attorney to research other towns’ regulations, and Schramm also offered to send him the portion of the Indiana Code that explains the process of amending the zoning map.
