JACKSON CENTER — A larger than normal crowd showed up when Jackson Center Council held a special meeting Monday, Aug. 7, to decide whether or not to change the zoning status of a property located due east of the existing Airstream manufacturing plant on West Pike Street.
The zoning change was necessary for Airstream to build a new 275,000-square-foot manufacturing facility that will initially employ around 100 people and also has the potential to provide as many as many as 200 more new jobs in the future. In order for Airstream to build a new plant, the zoning needed to be changed from R-1 single family to I-1 general industrial.
Council had tabled the ordinance back in early June due to concerns that some local residents had about how changing the zoning near their homes would affect property values, living conditions, and the lack of a detailed plan from Airstream concerning their intentions. The proposed building sight is currently used for agricultural purposes and borders a residential area along north state Route 65.
At earlier meetings several residents living near the anticipated building site shared concerns about increased traffic, semi truck noise, and the safety of their children playing in the area. The main point of contention was the proposed driveway that would cut between several homes; all traffic would enter and exit there and Airstream officials felt it was the most practical way to access the building sight. Residents feared increased traffic, especially during rush hour and an increase in semi-truck travel would be detrimental to living conditions in that area and have a negative effect on their property values.
After reading the original proposed ordinance, Mayor Scott Klopfenstein invited Mark Beckman of Airstream Trailers Inc. to share information about Airstream’s intent, answer questions and present facts to alleviate concerns held by those in attendance. As requested, Airstream had submitted a detailed building plan for the public to study before the meeting. Beckman shared the details of the plan provided noting Airstream will build a tall privacy fence to prevent children from being exposed to the dangers of traffic, and to help contain noise and any trash from entering people’s yards. He said they will also plant trees and shrubs to make things look nice and help reduce the amount of noise from truck traffic.
“We are already working on ways to address existing concerns like bright lights shining on the homes at night and excessive noise from our dust collector; we will also hire someone part time to keep the area around the outside of the building clear of debris and trash so it won’t end up in the street,” Beckman said.
Klopfenstein opened the floor to discussion and resident Jean Williams asked if an alterative entrance from Jerry Drive was possible but Beckman said if that was the case the building would need to be moved 90 degrees and that would actually put the plant closer to the homes. Village Zoning Officer Ed Maxwell used a map to show those in attendance exactly where the new driveway would be and explained that after all options were considered this was probably the best.
“Hopefully you have all had a chance to read and study Airstream’s detailed proposal and have a better idea of their intentions,” said Maxwell. “Their plan includes building a nice fence and possibly an earthen mound adjacent to the drive with trees and shrubs. I really believe Airstream is trying to be a good neighbor and tonight we need to decide one way or another if their plan is acceptable. I want to thank Airstream as well as all the in attendance for sharing ideas and working together and trying to find a reasonable solution to this issue.”
Shelby County resident Don Davis who owns two proprieties near the proposed building site said he recently lost the sale of one of those properties due to the proposed zoning changes.
“I would just like to see council do what’s best for all concerned and not just Airstream. Will Airstream do as they have promised here tonight or not? I was born at night but not last night, and very often businesses like Airstream will say anything to get their way but end up not going through with everything they promised, I’ve seen it before,” said Davis.
Klopfenstein said, by law, Airstream will have to follow zoning regulations and their building contract to the letter and that he believed they would hold up their end of the deal.
“To my knowledge Airstream has always been honorable in the past, so unless you can point out some examples of negativity associated with Airstream’s history I don’t feel your concerns are justified,” said Klopfenstein. “This is a great opportunity for our community and the people living in and around Shelby County and we can’t just sit here, do nothing, and watch our town dry up. When you grow there is going to be growing pains, that’s just part of it and change is a necessary part of that growing process.”
Council listened to other comments most of which reiterated potential issues associated with increased traffic and safety matters. Beckman assured those in attendance that Airstream had considered several other options but over all this was the most reasonable plan.
Before calling for a vote Klopfenstein said he felt the zoning change would be good for the village of Jackson Center.
“We’ve had this ordinance tabled since early June to allow everyone a chance to consider what’s best for our community, this a once in a lifetime opportunity for Jackson Center that could end up providing 200-300 jobs and with proper planning it should would work out fine,” said Klopfenstein. “At this point Airstream is waiting on us so we need to act now while the window of opportunity is still open.”
After allowing everyone in attendance several opportunities to speak, council voted to declare and emergency and then voted on the ordinance as read. The vote to change the zoning was unanimous except for Councilman James Dewine who abstained due to his working relationship with Airstream.
