Hobart Residents Oppose Industrial Complex
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Residents in Hobart are learning about a proposed industrial complex near the city’s Eagle Creek subdivision. Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the development would include six buildings that would consist of about two million square feet of space.
Carmel-based Becknell Industrial, which specializes in the development, investment and management of industrial properties, is asking the city to rezone about 156 acres of land at 61st Avenue and Colorado Street. The property is currently zoned for residential use, but Becknell wants it to be zoned for light manufacturing. The complex would bring about $2 million of investment to the city.
According to The Times, residents such as Pilar Garcia are worried that increased truck traffic and nearby manufacturing could impact her home’s property value as well as her son’s health.
“My son is immunocompromised, so anytime you are going to add more air pollution, he gets triggered.” Garcia said, explaining that her son has Lyme disease. “With everything going on, I am not sure how long we will be in the neighborhood.”
The Hobart Plan Commission held a public hearing for the project at the start of February where residents voiced concerns. After the meeting, the “No Re-Zone” Facebook page was created.
The group has also created an online petition opposing the development.
The publication reports the opposed residents have many concerns, including visual pollution and the potential for increased flooding.
“The area is like a gateway point to our city, and I just feel like this development has not taken into consideration the health and the happiness to the citizens who live here,” resident Myra Cseke said. “We would really like to have a community that is thriving and attracting more families.”
According to reporting by The Times, City Planner Ross Pietrzak says the design is “strictly conceptual” at this point. If the land is rezoned, the developer will submit a site plan, which will also go before the plan commission.
A public hearing for the rezone is set for Thursday, and the Hobart City Council will make the final zoning decision.