Published: May 16, 2008 12:03 pm            

Ball doesn’t bounce pawn shop’s way at New Albany City Council meeting

New Albany Chief Planner Scott Wood might not be a basketball fan.

But if he is, Wood said it certainly had nothing to do with a Plan Commission vote in February that ruled against allowing a zoning change to permit Go For Less LLC to open a pawn shop along Mount Tabor Road.

During a Thursday City Council meeting, Go For Less Attorney Mike Naville claimed a quick change of heart by the commission concerning the pawn shop on Feb. 19 might have been influenced by the Indiana University/Purdue University Basketball game that was about to take place.

Naville said “in probably two minutes or less,” the vote went from 5-3 in favor of allowing the pawn shop to 6-2 against. By rule, the commission has to carry a 6-2 ratio to provide a favorable or unfavorable vote.

If not, the measure goes to the council without a recommendation.

Naville had made a similar remark during a previous discussion with the council on the issue.

Wood reacted as if his favorite player had hoisted an air ball from the free throw line.

“This Indiana/Purdue game keeps getting brought up and it just annoys the living daylights out of me,” Wood said emphatically. “To think the plan commission cuts short deliberation on something because of a basketball game is just not true.”

He went on to say the commission heard other requests after ruling on the pawn shop.

The council didn’t seem to buy the reasoning either, or other claims the pawn shop should receive the status of a planned-unit-development district, voting down the ordinance 5-3 — Councilwoman Diane McCartin-Benedetti was absent — on final reading.

The measure failed by 5-4 votes during the first two readings.

Naville said his client — Jack Dykes Jr. — was victimized by trying to do the right thing. He added agreeing with the commission on each vote out of principle would render them “worthless as a councilman.”

“The people don’t elect the staff, the people don’t elect the plan commission,” Naville said.

He also pointed to other businesses located along the industrially zoned area of Mount Tabor Road that do not fit the requirements, saying the pawn shop fits similar retail needs.

Wood said the shops that were found to be located there in error have been served notice and are in the process of either seeking a zoning change or moving.

Councilman Kevin Zurschmiede — who voted against the planned-unit development — agreed with Wood.

“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” he said.

Councilman Pat McLaughlin voted in favor of permitting the pawn shop and said other businesses around the location offer services unbecoming of a industrial zone.

“They do venture into retail as well, a little bit more than we’ve discussed here,” McLaughlin said, adding he studied the area recently. “I think this is a little bit of a gray area.”

ALSO AT THE MEETING

• Councilman Steve Price said an ordinance permitting a planned-unit-development district along Charlestown Road for Developer Gary McCartin will remain tabled until at least next month. Price tabled the measure during last week’s meeting, but it appeared on the agenda for a second and third reading Thursday.

• An ordinance requiring transparency to the public for all contracts was approved unanimously on second and third readings.

• Councilman Dan Coffey tabled a resolution that would have authorized the 2008 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan, saying he wanted a work session scheduled for the council to discuss it before a vote was taken.

• The Redistricting Committee has scheduled a tentative meeting for May 28 to showcase the results of its work before it goes before the council. The committee has been working for several weeks to redraw voting districts for New Albany. The time and exact location have yet to be confirmed.

• A Redevelopment Commission workshop will be held at 5 p.m. May 27 to discuss changes, issued by the Indiana General Assembly, to the commission’s role that will go into effect June 1.

        

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