UPDATE: West Harrison Zone Change Given Thumbs Up

Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 7:28 AM

By Mike Perleberg

Area of I-74 exit 169 in West Harrison, Indiana. Photo via Google Maps. Update published Tuesday, July 28 at 8:06 a.m.: A zone change setting up potential new economic development in West Harrison has earned a favorable recommendation from the Dearborn County Planning Commission. Representatives of Maxwell Construction, the developer of the land currently owned by Tootles Trust, went to the plan commission Monday evening to request a zone change for about 90 acres on Harrison-Brookville Road near the Interstate 74 exit in West Harrison. The plan commission was unanimous in giving a favorable recommendation for the zoning change, but only in part. About 65 acres will be rezoned from Agriculture (A) and Business (B-2) zoning to Manufacturing Two (M-2) zoning. The other 25 acres closest to the Whitewater River and most at risk of flooding were not part of the recommendation. With a recommendation in-hand, Dearborn County Commissioners will have the final say on the zoning change. Maxwell Construction vice president Randy Maxwell said Monday there is currently nothing in the works for that property, other than repurposing an existing building there for a current Dearborn County business that is considering relocating to the West Harrison site. The name of that business has not been shared by the developer. Original story published Monday, July 27 at 10:48 a.m.: (West Harrison, Ind.) - There could be some economic development brewing in West Harrison, or at least a step towards getting something cooking. Applicant Maxwell Development and property owner Tootles Trust are seeking a rezoning of property along Harrison-Brookville Road at Moore Drive, according to a Dearborn County Planning Commission meeting agenda. The site is near the Interstate 74 exit in West Harrison. The applicants are asking the planning commission to rezone about 90.3 acres from Agricultural (A) and General Business (B-2) to Manufacturing Two (M-2) “to allow for a series of industrial uses at this location.” The planning commission meets to consider the zone change request at 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 27 at the Dearborn County Administration Building, 215 B W. High Street, in Lawrenceburg. Randy Maxwell, vice president of Maxwell Development, tells Eagle 99.3 that the developer has the property under option from the current owner. Maxwell has been working with an in-county company that wants to relocate inside Dearborn County. An existing building on the property could be repurposed for the small business with around a dozen office jobs. Rezoning the rest of the 90 acres would merely be speculative on future development, Maxwell says. The site has sewer and water service, about 900 feet of rail access, and easy access to the interstate highway. At this time, though, Maxwell says there is nothing in the works. About 20 acres of the tract are located in Dearborn County’s TIF district, with most of that section located outside of the Whitewater River flood plain. A staff report from the county planning and zoning department noted that Maxwell has not submitted a concept development plan outlining any specific plans for the propery. The report goes on to state that the property has sewer connection and that about two-thirds of the 90 acres are within the 100 year flood plain.