New guidelines are being considered for the Interstate 69 and Ind. 18 intersection - guidelines that some think may hinder development but others say will be good for the future of the area.
Marion City Council on Tuesday discussed overlay rules and decided to pass the rules on to a second hearing, but members said more research will be done before the rules are passed on a final reading.
Aletha Dunston, city advisory plan director, said the new guidelines will allow officials to make sure the intersection is an appropriate gateway to the city. It excludes specific uses of property, such as lumber yards and businesses that use outside storage units or mega parking lots.
Dunston said the rules are for property off both the interstate and Ind. 18 and will make the area more attractive with development that will likely come.
"We have the opportunity to start from scratch, which most communities don't have at the interstate," Dunston said.
Landowner Rex Stelzer, however, disagreed. The Ohio resident owns 45 acres on the southwest corner of the intersection. He said the rules could prohibit some businesses from moving in and could eliminate competition.
"I think that you need to take into more consideration what type of businesses you're going to restrict out there," Stelzer said.
Real estate agent Paul Milford said the rules make the community appear negative to new businesses, when really Marion is open to new businesses and is a positive community.
"Whenever we have excluded uses, it does tie our hands," Milford said.
Dunston said the rules aren't a final word, they're just a starting point to help Marion leaders plan appropriate growth.
Councilman David Homer said he can see how the overlay would be beneficial. He said businesses can ask the Board of Zoning Appeals if they want to get around the exclusions.
"It does give us the ability to say yes or no to something if it doesn't fit in," Homer said.
Councilman Steve Wright said he too could see a benefit to controlling business, but he also doesn't want Marion to lose business because of the restrictions.
Council members said they will research the issue in the next two weeks and talk about it at the April 15 ordinance committee meeting. The ordinance would come up for a final reading at the council's April 15 regular meeting.
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