Zoning request set for hearing (01/04/06)

A petition to rezone 80 acres located on Portland’s west side — an area which has been earmarked for several developments — will go before the Portland Planning Commission on Thursday.

Local real estate agent Mel Smitley, the owner of the land, is asking that the lot be rezoned to highway service from agricultural.

Smitley said Tuesday that he has received some telephone calls from developers interested in the land, but no firm commitments. He said he thought it best to go ahead and get the land rezoned in case someone decides in the future to lease or buy the land from him for a business.

The highway service zoning would allow a wide variety of commercial operations, giving Smitley a better chance of marketing the property.

The parcel is located on the north side of West Votaw Street, adjacent to Ja-mar T.V. Appliances and Bedding.

Farther west on Ind. 67, the owners of Beyond the Gilded Willow plan to transform an existing house into a larger flower shop with meeting rooms, and create a reception hall in an existing barn.

East of where the 80 acres are located, is the site of the new Wal-Mart SuperCenter and a proposed strip mall.

Smitley said he has owned the land for about five years. Someone currently leases it from him and farms it, he said.

The land was annexed by the city in March of 2003.

Thursday’s meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the Portland Fire Station meeting room, 1616 N. Franklin St., Portland.[[In-content Ad]]