County officials are considering a former International Paper Mill site for the new jail. (Alex Eady, WFIU/WTIU News)
The Terre Haute City Council is delaying a vote on a resolution that voices concerns over a zoning variance request from the county. The zoning variance is for the proposed site of a new county jail.
The county requested a variance in order to build a fence and recreational area, the first steps in a “security annex” at the former site of the International Paper Mill. The annex would include a new county jail and a sheriff’s office.
The zoning variance request is heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals, not the city council. Council members say in the resolution that the county should submit a request to change the zoning for the area, so the council can have a say in the placement of the jail.
Council member Martha Crossen says they’ve tabled the vote on that resolution because the county requested an independent attorney review the proposal and the site. Crossen says the council has decided to wait until that attorney issues an opinion next week before voting.
“I think for several of us, no matter what the opinion says, it’s not going to change how we feel,” Crossen says. “Our zoning laws should be followed, and we have a specific zoning category that addresses this issue.”
County officials did request a change in zoning previously. But they withdrew that request before the council could vote on it after some voiced criticism and concerns over the proposed site.
Crossen says the council is just asking the county to follow proper procedure.
“You know, we’re really not asking the county do anything that we wouldn’t ask any other property owner in the city to do, and that is to follow the zoning requirements of the city,” Crossen says.
Crossen says the council also received comments from city residents saying the county should follow the zoning procedures recommended by the council.
The city council will now consider the resolution at its Nov. 8 meeting.
The county would still need a building permit to start work on the jail itself.
