The Zionsville Town Council met Dec. 4 to approve incentives for the expansion of two local businesses, discuss lot coverage calculations and more.
What happened: The council approved reimbursable cash grant incentives of $20,000 and $10,000 for the local expansions of 120 Water Audit and Gear Marketing, respectively. The grants come from the town’s food and beverage tax fund.
What it means: 120 Water Audit plans to use the incentive to grow its business with hardware and software purchases. It plans to move out of zWORKS into another village location, add dozens of employees and make a capital investment of $523,000 by 2021. Gear Marketing is planning to expand at Northwest Technology Center and add 37 new employees by 2021, making a capital investment of $165,000.
What happened: The council introduced a zoning ordinance amendment that would modify the calculation of lot coverage in Urban Residential Zoning Districts.
What it means: The ordinance would allow for a 2 percent increase in lot coverage for the addition of an outdoor area such as a patio built with pervious material without town approval. DeLong said the new calculation would eliminate approximately 10 to 15 percent of requests of this nature that currently must receive a variance.
What’s next: The council is expected to discuss the issue again at its Dec. 18 meeting.
What happened: The council introduced an ordinance to establish Zionsville as a Broadband Ready Community.
What it means: The designation was created by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. to be used by towns that want to encourage broadband services. Zionsville Director of Planning and Economic Development Wayne DeLong said Zionsville would be one of the first municipalities not entirely based in a rural setting to have the distinction if approved.
What’s next: The council is expected to discuss the issue again at its Dec. 18 meeting.
What happened: The council introduced an ordinance to rezone 3.8 acres at 11870 Sandy Ln. from B-1, RSF-2 and MRO to B-O.
What it means: A 36-bed memory care facility is proposed on the site at Michigan Road and Sandy Lane, which is vacant. The one-story building is planned to include a courtyard and cafeteria for residents.
What’s next: The council is expected to discuss the issue again at its Dec. 18 meeting.
What happened: zWORKS co-founder Dan Moyers and Executive Director Kate Swanson gave an update on the co-working space after being in business for more than two years.
What it means: With more than 200 members and continued growth, zWORKS has graduated seven companies with four still on or near Main Street in downtown Zionsville. More than 10 companies are housed at zWORKS.
