HomeMy Public PortalAbout050-2019 - Memo 2DAVID M. SNOW
Mayor
U
BETH FIELDS
I Director
MATT EVANS
CITY OF RICHMOND Interim City Planner
Department of Infrastructure and Development
50 NORTH FIFTH STREET - RICHMOND, IN 47374
PHONE (765) 983-7237 - FAX (765) 962-7024
mevans@richmondindiana.gov
March 9, 2020
Common Council
Richmond, IN 47374
RE: Ordinance NO. 50-2019
Dear Council Member,
This ordinance is a request by Deleo Properties LLC, owner; Emily Williams of Indiana Municipal Power
Agency, agent; to rezone 1800 S 23rd St (Parcel ID: 891809000401000028) from AG (Agricultural) and R1
(Low Density Single -Family Residential) to IS (Institutional). The zoning change would allow for the
construction of a new solar park on the lot.
18 adjoining property owners were notified of the petition, and staff received 7 written responses, 3 in favor,
3 opposed, and 1 neutral with some proposed commitments and concerns. During public hearing 1 audience
member spoke in favor of the petition but voiced some concerns over future development on the portion of
the site where the panels will not be built.
The planning staff gave no recommendation of the ordinance. The Plan Commission voted 9-0 to
recommend approval of the ordinance to the Richmond Common Council.
The Richmond Comprehensive Plan outlines the following objectives and strategies relevant to this proposal:
This proposal is not in keeping with the Comprehensive Plan's Future Land Use Map, which
illustrates this parcel to be used for agriculture or rural residential.
Appropriate land uses within the Agricultural/Rural Residential classification are farms, plant
nurseries, other agricultural uses, detached single-family homes as farmsteads on large rural lots, and
undeveloped/natural areas kept to mitigate the effects of agricultural uses and development.
GROW
Protect and conserve the region's environmental resources by encouraging innovative development
solutions in the long term.
Explore implementing renewable energy -friendly ordinances and permitting requirements, including
support for community -scale projects.
Explore enacting energy -smart zoning policies.
PROTECT
Encourage the development of City-wide sustainability and resiliency strategies in the long term.
Allow for and accommodate for solar parks by ensuring that applicable regulations offer clarity and
stability while properly mitigating impacts.
Encourage reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Department of Infrastructure and Development requests the ordinance to be heard on the second reading;
public hearing and, at your discretion, third and final reading at the March 16, 2020 Common Council
meeting.
Sincerely,
Matt Evans
Interim City Planner