Common Council's zoning change green-lights Metal Max manufacturing plan
RICHMOND, Ind. — A zoning change approval Monday night clears the way for a new northwest-side manufacturing plant.
Richmond Common Council unanimously rezoned 47.206 acres on the northeast corner of Salisbury and Industries roads high-intensity industrial. A Tennessee-based company, Metal Max LLC, had reached a purchase agreement with Epic Enterprises of Connersville contingent upon the zoning approval.
The area that's also bordered by Interstate 70 had been zoned outdoor commercial.
Metal Max LLC plans to manufacture metal roofing and siding for companies that produce accessory structures like sheds and pole barns. Metal Max LLC supplies two sister companies, Old Hickory Buildings LLC and MaxSteel Buildings LLC, which specialize in the production of various accessory structures.
Plans call for construction of a facility that's about 40,000 square feet, said Gordon Moore, the agent for Epic's zoning request. The plans include between 30 and 40 employees.
Moore said rolls of metal would be trucked to the facility, then the completed products would be trucked out again. Local contractors also will be able to purchase the products.
Council members had previously heard the proposal and referred it to the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission. The plan commission recommended approval with a 10-0 vote during its April 27 meeting, and Ian Vanness, the city's director of infrastructure and development, told council that planning staff also recommended approval.
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Ordinance approvals
Council approved three ordinances involving grants and donations for Richmond Fire Department.
RFD received permission to apply for two grants from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security's Indiana Fire and Public Safety Academy Regional Public Safety Fund program. Neither would involve a city match.
A $50,000 grant would enable RFD to install a fire hydrant at the Israel "Izzy" Edelman Fire & Police Department Training Ground, according to Fire Chief Jerry Purcell. Money from a $10,000 grant would purchase forcible entry training props for the training center.
The third ordinance enables RFD to accept donations for a variety of departmental programs and initiatives.
Other contracts unanimously approved included:
Enabling Richmond Parks and Recreation Department to apply for a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for projects associated with activating the Whitewater Gorge. The grant requires a $500,000 city match that would come from American Rescue Plan Act funds;
Approving new Richmond Power & Light rates that begin July 1 when the state repeals the utility receipts tax. The result is about a 1.4% lowering of rates; and
Keeping the current council district boundaries.
RP&L bids
After the council meeting, members conducted a special Richmond Power and Light board meeting to accept bids for a pickup truck.
Greg Hubler Ford of Muncie was awarded the contract during the board's April 4 meeting after bidding $27,299 for a 2022 Ford Ranger to be used by RP&L's Parallax communications division. The contract was rescinded during the board's May 2 meeting after Hubler Ford found it could not acquire the desired vehicle.
General Manager Tony Foster opened two bids Monday night. Wetzel Ford bid $39,936 after trade-in for a Ford Ranger with an eight-to-10-month delivery time. Cronin Toyota & Nissan bid $42,260.25 after trade-in for a Nissan Frontier that could be delivered immediately.
The bids were taken under advisement.
Road cleanup
Mayor Dave Snow told council there will be a coordinated effort May 23 to clean up New Paris Pike.
He asked citizens to tarp loads they're driving to the New Paris Pike Landfill to avoid debris dirtying the area.
There could be traffic restrictions as the cleanup takes place.
This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Common Council zoning change green-lights Metal Max manufacturing plan
