Culver

House Democrats walking out

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I was amused when I saw that the Wisconsin State Senate Democrats were hiding in Illinois.  Their new moniker as the FLEE Party was funny.  Now I am ashamed to see that our Indiana State Representatives, including our local District 17 Representative, Nancy Dembowski, are doing the same.  If you’re as embarrassed by her method of representing us as I am, please take the time to send her a note here:  h17@in.gov

This is poor government, poor sportsmanship and just plain poor leadership.  I received an email from the Indianapolis TEA Party that has a lot of interesting links if you want to follow up with them.  You can see the email here.  They are not only taking on the missing Democrats, but also the Governor and the Republican led Senate, asking for better leadership from our representative government.  I don’t think this is an unreasonable request.

There is a billboard at the corner of S.R. 8 & S.R. 17 that I pass every day on the way to work.  It has Nancy Dembowski’s smiling face telling me she’s my Representative.  If that’s the case, why is she hiding in Illinois?

South Side Update

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Tuesday night was the regular meeting of the Culver Plan Commission.   The only agenda item was a replatting of the Rhodes property, combining several lots into one.  This passed with little question. 

Under “Public Input”, John Zehner presented his plans to change the use of the Ten Spot to a restaurant and motel.  The presentation wasn’t required, but was more of a courtesy, keeping the Plan Commission apprised of the change in use.  The Plan Commission also supported this proposal.

I took the opportunity to plant some seeds regarding the development on the south side of Culver, basically outlining the thoughts I had previously presented here.  I was pleased that the Plan Commission was fairly receptive.  They agreed to consider most of what I suggested.  I truly think this is an opportunity for the Town to get out in front of some issues and encourage the type of development they would like to see.  They are considering forming a subcommittee to look into this with the idea that the subcommittee would try and form community partnerships and foster buy-in.  All in all a very positive evening!

Development on the South Side of Culver

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As recently discussed here, the Culver Plan Commission rezoned the newly annexed area on the south side of Culver to a residential mix of R-1 and R-2.  I think the annexation, the rezoning and the planned sewer and water extensions are positive steps towards growth.  Now I think there should be a discussion about the future of this area.
 
The Plan Commission needs to spend a little time forming a vision for this area.  The rezonings are a step in the right direction, but I believe they should take the reins, meet with the property owners and look at what should happen.  Of course I have my opinions…  

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Culver Garden Court – Rezoning

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The Plan Commission met on its regular third Tuesday night last month.  Rezoning the newly annexed properties on the south side of Culver was on the agenda.  Unfortunately, they did not have a quorum.  The meeting was rescheduled for the following Monday (Monday of last week) and the hearing was held then. I was unable to attend the hearing as I had a scheduling conflict.  I sent a letter of support (see it here) and I understand the rezoning was passed without remonstration.
 
I was a little surprised that the Plan Commission did not follow the Comprehensive Plan recommendations which I would have interpreted to suggest this area should have been zoned R-2.  The Plan Commission did zone the northern third, which included the McGee Property and the newly subdivided Garden Court Parcel to R-2 as per the agreement with Mr. McGee, but the remaining 2/3rds were zoned R-1.  My letter cited various references in the Comp Plan, but my source on the Plan Commission said that the property owners in that section preferred R-1.
 
Unfortunately, I think this may have been a lack of understanding or foresight on their part.  The basic difference between the two zonings is the density requirements and the allowance for multi-family development under R-2.  There is very little that can be done under R-1 that can’t be done under R-2.  (See the Use Matrix in the Zoning Ordinance here).
 
A continuing theme in the Comp Plan is affordable housing.  The Comp Plan is extremely dated as it was completed over 10 years ago and the housing issue has not been corrected in the past decade.  Allowing higher densities in housing is one way that housing can be made more affordable.  Higher densities are also a goal of the green movement as it promotes more efficient use of land and infrastructure.
 
In any case, I’m pleased to see that the Plan Commission has taken the steps to upgrade the zoning in this area and plan for future development. The Town Council has taken steps to extend water and sewer to the northern third of this area.  That project will be underway this Spring and was necessary for the construction of the Culver Garden Court.  I think this is a positive step for the area and may be the first step towards seeing additional housing starts in Culver.

Congratulations to Andrea Cook and The Midas Center

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Picture from Midas Center Reception
Attendees at The Midas Center Reception (Left to Right: Bob Wagner, Brent Martin, Kevin Berger and Marcy EckoffWagner

Congratulations to Andrea Cook and The Midas Center  on their move to their new location at 200 North Michigan Street in Plymouth.  I attended their Reception on December 17th and it was interesting to see their progress and the various people, some of them old friends, that are involved and were there to help them.

I initially connected to Andrea through her position on the Culver Redevelopment Commission.  She has become quite active in the Culver and Plymouth Communities through her business at The Midas Center as well as her two community promotion sites, iHEARTplymouth and iHEARTculver.  I have consulted with Andrea and her husband Phil on the status of the historic building they have purchased and we are working with them on a restoration project at the site.