Thursday, August 27, 2026

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: STEPHENSON RIFE ATTORNEYS

A group of friends gathered at Just Peachy Cafe in Shelbyville yesterday to celebrate the birthdays of Lee Anne Pruitt and Kelly Balting. From left, then clockwise, are Anna Smith, Kelly Balting, Bob Walton, Mark McNeely, Janet Schindel and Lee Anne Pruitt. Although he was not celebrating a birthday, Walton noted that he is 94. The group meets whenever one of its members has a birthday. | photo by JACK BOYCE

A proposal that could eventually create as many as 10 residential lots near county roads 1100 North and 400 West will return to the Shelby County Plan Commission next month after failing to receive the five votes needed for approval Tuesday.

Schwier and Co. LLC sought to rezone portions of two adjoining parent tracts totaling approximately 23 acres from Conservation Agricultural to a combination of Agricultural, Residential Estate and Institutional zoning. The initial plan calls for three lots on each tract, including larger parcels that could be divided again in the future.

Only six of the commission’s nine members attended Tuesday’s meeting. Because five affirmative votes are required for the commission to act, the 4-2 votes against the two rezoning requests resulted in neither approval nor denial. Andrew Newkirk and Jeremy Ruble supported the petitions, while Jeff Powell, Kevin Carson, Jason Abel and Alicia Barr voted against them.

The petitions will return when the commission meets Sept. 22 at 7 p.m.

Surveyor Scott Summerford, representing property owner Randy Schwier, said the proposals were filed separately because the property consists of two parent tracts, each eligible for a simple subdivision of up to three lots.

“We’re just kind of feeling out, seeing what the feasibility is and what we can and cannot do,” Summerford said. He said no surveying had been completed and drainage had not yet been studied in detail.

Planning Director Desiree Calderella said county ordinances permit adjoining parent tracts to be divided through separate simple subdivisions. Staff recommended approval of both rezonings, citing nearby residential development and the demand for additional housing.

The recommendation included conditions limiting the number of access points along county roads 1050 North, 1100 North and 400 West. County Surveyor Jeff Powell also would have discretion to require drainage plans meeting some or all of the standards applied to major subdivisions.

Several nearby residents opposed the petitions, with drainage, preservation of farmland, road access and the potential for continued development among their primary concerns.

Jason Linville said his family owned the land for approximately 150 years before circumstances forced its sale last year.

“This land holds water. It’s wet at all times,” Linville said. “I grew up on it. I hunted back there. I spent my whole life on that farm. It’s kind of disappointing, to be honest.”

Jan Smith, Linville’s mother, said the property originated with a land grant from President Martin Van Buren and was recognized through the Hoosier Homestead program in 2022 after 150 years of family ownership.

Smith also asked that continued access be provided to Breedlove Cemetery, an early pioneer cemetery located on the property. Its stones were restored and a fence and sign were installed beginning in 2010.

“Our ancestors are back there,” Smith said. “What I’d like to see is to have some access so that we can get back there and keep it cleaned up.”

Summerford said state law restricts development within 100 feet of a cemetery and that an easement or other means of public access could be considered.

Other residents described standing water, overburdened ditches, continuously operating sump pumps and nearby homes that require mound septic systems.

Lawrence Taylor argued the two proposals should be considered together as a larger residential development subject to the county’s major-subdivision requirements, including engineered drainage, internal roads and additional safety standards.

“You don’t have to be a rocket surgeon to see that more lot requests will be forthcoming on this property,” Taylor said. “These petitions carve out residential pockets in the middle of active cropland. It’s not an extension; it’s suburbanization.”

Commission members shared some of those concerns, although they acknowledged the applications followed the county ordinance as written.

Carson said the county had revised its development rules over the years in part to discourage a series of individual lots along county roads. He said a development of six or more houses should be designed as a major subdivision with internal streets and a comprehensive drainage plan.

“I don’t think this was the intent of where we wanted to go,” Carson said. “I do believe, technically, you found a way to have two tracts side by side.”

Abel described the approach as a “supreme technicality” that complied with the ordinance but did not necessarily further the county’s long-term planning goals.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for a standard subdivision that is more appropriately planned and funnels traffic into one central point,” Abel said. “This is threading the needle on, quite frankly, outdated and antiquated rules that we need to address.”

Schwier said he originally believed the property was a single parcel and planned to create only two building lots. After learning it consisted of two parent tracts, he proceeded under the provisions available in the ordinance.

“We’re just following the ordinance as it’s written,” Schwier said. “If you only want two lots there on one parcel, I’m open to that. But then change your ordinance.”

Schwier also pointed to declining enrollment at Triton Central High School as evidence of the need for additional families and housing in the area. Newkirk agreed that Schwier had done nothing improper and had followed the county’s existing rules.

Powell suggested the parties use the delay to examine drainage and access as though the property would eventually contain 10 lots rather than considering each proposed lot independently.

The commission also unanimously approved Michael Burbrink’s request to rezone five wooded acres along County Road 500 West near Old State Road 252 from Conservation Agricultural to Residential Estate. Burbrink plans to create a homesite for his daughter and son-in-law. The related simple subdivision and waivers for road frontage and access also passed 6-0.

A request from Beth Riggs to divide approximately 7 acres at 5599 N. Brandywine Road into two lots also received unanimous approval. One lot contains an existing house that is being offered for sale, while Riggs plans to retain the remaining property.

Other cases were continued before Tuesday’s meeting and will join the Schwier petitions on the commission’s Sept. 22 agenda.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: FULL CANOPY REAL ESTATE

• The Fairland Historical Society will unveil historical markers recognizing the communities of Pleasant View and London on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The first ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. outside Pleasant View Baptist Church, 12442 Southeastern Ave., followed by the London marker unveiling at approximately 6:30 p.m. at London Cemetery, 7412 N. London Road. Attendees should note that the Pleasant View bridge over the interstate is closed. The project was supported by Beaty Construction/C-Tech, Blue River Community Foundation, Pleasant View Baptist Church and the Moral Township trustee.

• HOOSIER NEWS: Caterpillar plans to invest $890 million to modernize its Large Engine Center in Lafayette, including $540 million for new equipment and $350 million for facility improvements. The project would retain 1,995 employees but would not create new jobs, with work expected to begin in 2027 and finish in 2030. The Lafayette Redevelopment Commission will consider two 10-year tax abatements for the project today. (IBJ)

• NATIONAL NEWS: Low-cost German supermarket chain Aldi is on pace to become the second-largest supermarket chain in the United States by number of locations. Aldi operated 2,626 stores in 2025, compared with 2,689 Kroger locations and 3,556 Walmart stores. The company plans to have 3,200 locations by the end of 2028, expanding its presence in a market where Walmart accounts for 20.8% of U.S. sales of groceries, personal care products, household supplies and baby goods. Aldi stores typically occupy 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, compared with approximately 50,000 square feet for a traditional supermarket and 200,000 square feet for a Walmart Supercenter. One analysis also found that Aldi’s prices were an average of 12% lower than Walmart’s. (Bloomberg/Numlock)

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This Week in Shelby County, a cartoon feature illustrated by George L. Stubbs for 38 years, is reproduced with permission of the Shelby County Historical Society and the Stubbs family.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: MAJOR HEALTH PARTNERS

Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials. | research by MYRON RAWLINGS

2016: More than 180 people gathered at the Knights of Columbus for a city-county economic development summit moderated by Gerry Dick, host of “Inside Indiana Business.” MHP President and CEO Jack Horner said the health system had added 140 jobs in recent years and expected further growth as it prepared to open its new hospital at Intelliplex.

2006: Visitors from Kambara, Japan, Shelbyville’s sister city, arrived for an annual pilgrimage to the community. The program had started in 1988 when Ryobi Die Casting, one of the many Japanese companies in Shelby County, organized the effort. Nobu Usami, president of the Kambara Association, was staying with Keith and Elissa Keppel in Shelbyville. Chie Suzuki, tour director, was hosted by Mayor Scot and Susan Furgeson.

1996: The Shelbyville Board of Public Works awarded a contract to extend Park Street to Knightstown Road.

A tree was planted and a plaque installed on the front lawn of the county courthouse to honor Sheriff’s Deputy Stacia Alyea, who had died in April when her police car crashed while chasing a suspected drunk driver on State Road 44. County employees had raised money to pay for the tree. After planting, the employees had $162 remaining and donated that money to a trust fund set up at Fifth Third Bank for Alyea’s children.

1986: Shelbyville High School student Alecia Ford, 14, was selected as a WISH-TV Disney Child based on her academic achievement and community service. She performed with the drama club, worked on the school newspaper, contributed articles to The Shelbyville News, volunteered as a candy striper and was active in her church. As part of the honor, Alecia received a four-day trip to Disney World with her brother, Ryan Hadley; her mother, Carmella Hadley; and her grandfather.

1976: “In a smoke-filled room stuffed with local citizens clamoring for action, seven local residents were forced to end almost 20 years of speculation about the building of a new hospital in Shelby County,” The Shelbyville News reported. “The audience certainly didn’t leave happy.” After more than two hours of heated discussion, the Major Hospital board of directors voted 4-3 in favor of building a new hospital at the present site on West Washington Street. Martha Keith, a nurse who had once been on the board of directors, advocated for moving the hospital to a new location. Fifteen physicians had presented to the board a petition also requesting the new hospital be built at one of two other possible locations.

1966: Burger Chef held its grand opening at 632 South Harrison Street, offering 10-cent hamburgers as part of a special sale. The Big Chef was 39 cents.

1956: Street Department employees leveled a path for construction of a sidewalk from Morris Avenue to the new Coulston Elementary School.

1946: Charles Brummer announced his purchase of the Louis W. Rosenfeld machine shop at 310 E. Broadway. The business would operate as Broadway Machine & Manufacturing Co., with plans to construct a 50-by-60-foot addition for the production of truck beds.

1936: City officials announced plans for a Labor Day pushmobile race to be held on East Broadway Street, between Harrison and Noble streets.

1926: John Dunn, who had operated The Franklin Market at Franklin and St. Marys streets for many years, sold the store to Helen Turner, who had worked in the grocery department of the Goodman Store.

A gasoline motor rail car, attached to a combination baggage and mail coach, passed through Shelbyville on the Pennsylvania Line. The car was being tested on the local division of the road for possible future use. The gasoline-powered vehicle was operated by one man instead of the two required for the operation of a steam locomotive.

ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory

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