German Church Rezoning Request to be Continued Until March 18

Weekly View — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 06:10:29 +0000

CUMBERLAND — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Development Commission was scheduled to consider a rezoning request on March 4 that, if passed, would move a 100-year-old church on East Washington Street and German Church Road a step closer to being razed for another gas station and 24-hour convenience store. City-County Councilor Ben Hunter filed a request to continue the hearing to March 18 to allow him time to get all the parties together to discuss the matter.
The MDC Hearing Examiner gave the request a favorable opinion on Feb. 12, but the Town of Cumberland has filed an appeal.
Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle has asked that the 4.8-acre site that includes the historic church be rezoned to allow commercial development, including gas stations. The congregation is building a new church elsewhere, and has agreed to sell its property to Giant Eagle, which plans to level the church and outlying buildings to make way for a GetGo store and gas station. The current proposal leaves more than two acres of additional land for future development. This future development could be any use allowed in C-3 zoning classifications, including drive-through facilities and other auto-oriented uses.
Although the property lies within Cumberland’s corporate limits, a political technicality leaves the Town virtually powerless in this case. In the 1970s Indiana adopted Unigov to consolidate services provided by Indianapolis and Marion County into one unit designed to be more efficient. Under Unigov, Cumberland was one of several towns established as an “included town.”
As an included town, Cumberland has no control over planning, zoning, permitting, or redevelopment authority among other services. Included town status is an important issue for Cumberland because it is unique in that it straddles the line between Marion and Hancock counties. Cumberland is a full service town on the Hancock County side providing services like police protection, streets, parks, planning and redevelopment. Included town status on the Marion County side puts Cumberland at a disadvantage for controlling its own destiny or in the case of Giant Eagle’s rezoning request having a say in development and redevelopment that impacts the Town’s identity and is inconsistent with its Comprehensive Plan.
“Forty-five years ago, no one would have foreseen a situation like this,” said Town Manager Andrew J. Klinger. “Now, though, the Town of Cumberland is a full service Town that is continuing to grow on the Hancock County side; however, the City of Indianapolis is interpreting Cumberland’s Comprehensive Plan and making critical decisions on zoning issues. The Comprehensive plan was developed and approved by the Town, with guidance from a steering committee that included representatives of Indianapolis’ Department of Metropolitan Development and Hancock County staff. We should have more say in what happens in our town.”
While the Town is focused on this particular property now, Klinger noted that it has highlighted the bigger question of autonomy. “Our goal with this site is to see a greater potential use that would create a sense of place and generate more tax revenue than another gas station,” said Klinger. “Our long-term goal is to have more say in decisions that affect our residents. If the Town had redevelopment authority similar to the excluded cities, then the Town would have been equipped to avoid this current dilemma and could pursue more appropriate growth and development.”
Metropolitan Development Commission public hearing will be held March 18 at the City-County Building, 200 E. Washington St., Public Assembly Room, 2nd floor at 1 p.m.

Cumberland Arts Goes to Market: 5 Years of Art & Community

Weekly View — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 05:10:29 +0000

CUMBERLAND — For one day each year, the town of Cumberland celebrates the arts and the community during Cumberland Arts Goes to market. For the last five years, the event has grown — this year, over 100 arts, crafts and farmer’s market vendors will be on hand August 17. Last year’s attendance was estimated at 2,400 for the day.
The day will begin with the Cumberland Run at 8 a.m. and the farmer’s market booths opening at 8 a.m. The event will be held at the crossing of Saturn, Munsie, and Muessing streets from the Cumberland Town Hall to the Cumberland First Baptist Church. There’s free parking at the Meijer’s just west of the event, plus on Muessing St.
There are two entertainment stages: the Shirley Brothers Pavilion at Honors Park, and the Cohron Homes Stage at the Speedway (in the grassy area). Highlights of the day’s entertainment include the Irish Airs at 11 a.m. and noon, Jen Midkiff, Harpist, and Steele Opera Project in Honors Park. Don’t miss Wild Mercy Celtic music, Wax Chaotic, Warren Township show choirs, and much more going on. The day ends on a musical high note with Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and Saint Aubin both at 3 p.m. Kids are welcome to play in the Cornerstone Family Dentistry Kid Zone, and they’ll get a kick out of AngiCat from Silly Safaris at 1 p.m. The Kids Zone will also have 2D Experiential Art from Herron School of Art Therapy, and a craft corner. Artists Iggy Arana, Connie Urbanski, Sleepy Cat Studio, Chickadee Pottery, plus many more artisans will have booths.
It wouldn’t be a festival without food, and many local restaurants will be on hand, including NY Slice, The Gypsy Cafe, Chef Dan’s Southern Comfort Food Truck, the Indiana Buddhist Center, and Two Sisters Cakery and Bakery will be there with a variety of selections.
For the adventurous, there will be tethered balloon rides by RE/Max Ability Plus. For the not-so-adventurous, there will be a silent auction from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The main event closes at 4 p.m.
For more information and a complete list of vendors and events, visit http://cumberlandfbc.org.

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German Church Rezoning Request to be Continued Until March 18

Cumberland Arts Goes to Market: 5 Years of Art & Community