PC likes X-park idea (5/7/04)

The Portland Planning Commission voted unanimously Thursday evening to accept a preliminary plan for developing an extreme sports park at the Portland Industrial Park.

Jay County resident and Qualtech Tool and Engineering co-owner Glynn Barber would like to create a 150-acre park, equipped with a dirt oval race track, both indoor and outdoor motocross tracks, radio-controlled tracks, a small pond for radio-controlled boats, both dirt and asphalt go-cart tracks, both inside and outside BMX tracks, an outside paintball area, and what Barber called the world’s largest tournament-style indoor paintball factory.

Barber said Thursday he decided to do the project because of all of the potential business it would bring to the city of Portland. He estimates the park and events held there could have the potential to draw thousands of visitors each weekend.

“I believe it could create more revenue in one weekend than my company (Qualtech Tool) could make in 15 years,” Barber said.

The land, which is owned by the Portland Economic Development Corporation, located at 710 East 100 North, Portland, is currently zoned as industrial.

Barber’s initial appeal to the board on Thursday was to get the land rezoned as a planned development. Although this project was not at the stage for such a decision to be made Thursday, the board enthusiastically voted to accept the preliminary plan.

Barber also said he believes the project is a good idea because it would create jobs, with at least 50 full-time employees and several part-time workers. He said he would also ask local service groups, such as the fire department and police, to help at events held in the park. He plans to donate some of the revenue from the events to the organizations that volunteer.

If the land is rezoned as a planned development and Barber is able to purchase or lease the land and the 50,000-square-foot spec building, which is currently located in the park, Barber said he would use all of (Continued on page 5)

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his own money to build the park. He said he might also apply for some grants for the three-year project, which he would like to begin construction on this summer.

“The entertainment industry is where it’s at,” he said. “Now’s the time for Jay County and Portland to separate this county from other counties.”

Executive director of Jay County Development Corporation Robert Quadrozzi told board members the industrial park was comprised of a total of 240 acres — including some land already being used by Qualtech, Moser Engineering, Accelerated Curing Inc. and the spec building.

Quadrozzi said Barber would like to buy or lease most of the property in the industrial park, leaving 55 acres available along the western edge.

Quadrozzi also said if city officials were concerned about having less property, there were plenty of other parcels available for the city to purchase for the industrial park. If the investment didn’t work out, however, the city would have the first opportunity to buy back the property, Quadrozzi added.

“There are no guarantees for this project, only risks (for Barber),” said Quadrozzi.

Barber remains optimistic. “People thought I was crazy when I wanted to start Qualtech Tool, and just look what happened,” Barber said.

Jay County Planning Commission advisory member John Knipp liked the idea of the sports park.

“We really need a location for youths (in the county) to do activities,” said Knipp.

Other business at Thursday’s meeting didn’t go so smoothly.

Decisions about two map change requests at Thursday’s meeting were made over protests from the audience.

The rezoning issue which took the most heat was the request by Jeremy Bullard to rezone a lot at 960 South Boundary Pike, Portland, to a high density (R-10) residential district from a medium density (R-8) residential district. Bullard said he wanted to build four two-story duplex units, which he would rent to eight families.

A group of people who live close to where the new duplexes would be built strongly protested Bullard’s request. Most were concerned about an increase in traffic in the area and that the new homes would be too close to their property. Others were worried the duplexes could become run-down or an eyesore and decrease the value of their property. Some did say, however, two single-story duplexes would be more than welcome in their neighborhood.

Bullard said he thinks the location is suited for the planned duplexes because the site is adjacent to Heather Park Apartments.

Commission president Vicki Tague also had her doubts about the proposal. She and other board members worried there wouldn’t be ample space for the units. She also noted part of the corner of the lot, where Boundary Pike and Floral Street meet, would eventually be removed because of the Boundary Street improvements.

“In our 10-year plan for Jay County, we said we desperately had a need for condos,” Knipp added. “We have a problem with people who live here moving to other counties.”

Five of the eight commission members present voted for the rezoning, and the motion passed.

Also Thursday, a rezoning request for a lot located at 2846 West 75 South, Portland, died after no commission members made a motion.

Property owner Tom Dujardin requested the lot be rezoned as commercial. The approximately three-acre site is currently zoned as environmental protection.

Dujardin, who has operated a car restoration business on the lot since 1981, made the request so he could get his used car dealer’s license and begin to hold vehicle auctions. He said he wouldn’t change the size of the lot he currently owns, but he would like to have about 30 automobiles on the lot.

Sandy Bubp, 451 South 300 West, Portland, Dujardin’s neighbor, said there are about 16 cars currently on Dujardin’s property.

“I need to protest — our two-mile area is a junkyard and an eyesore,” Bubp said, adding that she was concerned with what the future of the lot could be if Dujardin were to sell it. She and others were concerned someone would buy the lot and turn it into a large car dealership.

Knipp said if the lot were to be rezoned, there would be no guidelines for the lot’s future.[[In-content Ad]]