Friday, September 14, 2007

Around The Square

On the sidelines of the recent Harrison Square open house at the Grand Wayne Center was a number of poster boards for a plan entitled "Around The Square" (PDF).

With virtually no fanfare or press coverage of the plan, it is surprising to think that a public hearing held by the Plan Commission regarding the plan will be held this coming Monday, September 17.

The Around the Square plan is significant because it proposes a number of large zoning changes in the downtown area near and surrounding Harrison Square, including suggestions for a new historically designated area and even a completely new zoning classification: CM5C - Neighborhood Commercial Corridor Zoning.


It is unfortunate that this plan seems to be flying under the radar, coasting right through to a public hearing that most are not even aware of. This isn't to say that it's a bad plan, because it's not, but discussion and discourse should always be encouraged when such notable changes are on the table.

Why were the particular zoning changes decided upon? Do the houses in the proposed historic designation area merit designation? Why are other houses around it not having the same designation proposed? Why not expand the use of the CM5 zoning designation, which more easily allows for mixed-use development?

These are just a few questions that could be asked. The overriding question is "why would these particular changes be the best option?"

When and where of the public hearing:

Fort Wayne City Plan Commission
Public Hearing Agenda


DATE: September 17, 2007
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Room #126, City-County Building, One Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN

Public Hearing on an Amendment to the City of Fort Wayne Comprehensive Plan

An amendment to the Comprehensive Plan for the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County (Plan-it Allen) to add the Around the Square Sub-Area Plan

2 comments:

John B. Kalb said...

Again - If it wasn't for Scott S. & Brian we would NEVER know what's going down in our town - Thanks again, guys! John B. Kalb

Change Fort Wayne said...

Like they said, there were poster boards at the open house.