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[ PREVIOUS STORIES ]

12-22-03: Celina mayor vetoes manufacturing zoning

By SEAN RICE
srice@dailystandard.com

Outgoing Mayor Paul Arnold has vetoed an ordinance recently passed by city council that creates a light manufacturing district (M-2) in the zoning code.
Using his veto power for the first time, Arnold rejected a law that has greatest effect on the Celina Industrial Park, located off Havemann and Grand Lake roads. The change from a manufacturing zone (M-1) to M-2 allows for a mix of commercial and industrial businesses, as already exists at the Celina Industrial Park.
The new M-2 zone also applies to the former Mersman Furniture Co. property, the former Visions property along U.S. 127 and the Mercer Landmark property on Market Street.
Efforts to change the zoning code were brought about by a landowner in the Celina Industrial Park with plans to sell a parcel to allow a used car dealership to open.
Some landowners commented against the change as the measure worked its way through Celina Planning Commission and city council meetings. Arnold commented vehemently against the idea before it came to city council.
“I believe the change in zoning of the Havemann Road industrial park has merit, but I am adamantly against the inclusion of automotive sales and public recreation as conditional uses,” Arnold wrote in a letter to city council President Bill Sell. “This designation would be a perfect fit for such properties as the Star warehouse and the former Mersman building.”
Arnold states that he voiced his disapproval of the zoning board of appeals granting a variance allowing a beauty salon to open in the Celina Industrial Park, giving the park its first pure retail business.
“Another valid reason is the fact that current occupants of the park were sold lots under the assumption they were buying land in an industrial park and not a commercial park,” Arnold wrote in the letter, supplied to The Daily Standard. “The rights of these occupants must be upheld just as surely as those in a residential district who don’t want a factory to move in next door.”
When contacted this morning, council member Ron Hammons said the mayor has his right to be against the measure, but he should have voiced it early.
“He is part of the planning commission, and his vote for it is one of the reasons it got to council,” Hammons said.
“It takes six votes to override the veto, and right now I think I have five commitments,” Hammons continued. “And I hope to have that sixth vote before the year’s end.”
Incoming Mayor Sharon LaRue said it is the mayor’s “prerogative” to issue a veto and declined further comment. Council member Collin Bryan also turned down a chance to comment.
Arnold points out the three points of action the council can take: override the veto, allow it to stand or present a new ordinance with changes.

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