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Wednesday, February 9, 2022
Vol. 65, Issue No. 6
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FULTON COUNTY • FAIR • HARDWORKING • DEVOTED Paid for by the Committee to Elect Matt Craig for Sheriff
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Gwen Hornstein 574-835-0265 cell gwen@rtcol.com
Proposed ‘Manitou Crossing’ development meets opposition %\ .(,7+ .1(33 $VVRFLDWH (GLWRU By now, you’ve most certainly heard some combination of news, gossip, innuendo and opinion about the proposed Manitou Crossing development proposed on the south side of Rochester. The $81 million development would be located at the intersection of US 31 and SR 25, and would span approximately 85 acres of nowfarmland. The proposal by RealtyMetrix, a commercial real estate firm located in suburban Chicago, would include approximately 660 affordable housing apartment units, six commercial or retail lots and space for as many as four hotels. The idea was first pitched last September, and since it involves land under both city and county jurisdiction, both governmental units have a stake in its consideration, including the Fulton County Planning Commission and the Fulton County and Rochester Boards of Zoning Appeals. Manitou Crossing is requesting zoning variances from both the city and the county since the property is in two parcels. It is anticipated the proposed development would require approximately five years to complete. Upgrades to the area’s infrastructure is estimated to cost approximately $10 million, which theoretically would be split between the county and the city, including grant money received by the county from the Indiana Regional Economic Acceleration and Development initiative. A study by Indiana University-Kokomo on behalf of Fulton
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County H.O.P.E. was conducted that indicated the need for low-income housing in Fulton County. The local non-profit agency noted this week studies show 42.7% of renters in Fulton County are “rent overburdened,” meaning more than 30% of gross income is paid toward housing rental. That is in contrast to 27% across the state of Indiana, meaning 15.7% of Fulton County renters are in this condition over the state average. During both the Fulton County BZA meeting Jan. 12 and the Rochester BZA meeting Jan. 26, the mood from residents attending was overwhelmingly in opposition to the plan. At both meetings, RealtytMatrix requested special exemptions for the mixed-use development since it will include the proposed residences as well as a potential new YMCA facility, both of which will be located in a general commercial district. The Fulton County BZA tabled its discussion on the request, to be revisited and possibly voted upon during its next meeting tonight, Feb. 9. As detailed in a story in last week’s edition of the Shopping Guide News, the Rochester BZA also was greeted by numerous locals who were opposed to the development, several of whom offered very detailed reasons why they did not want to see it come to fruition. Of the more than 50 people who attended the meeting, reportedly only one stood in favor of the plan. Arguments against the proposal included overcrowding of schools, lack of existing infrastructure and a suggested rise Continued on page 3
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