Downtown apartment idea met with Roachdale resistance

ROACHDALE -- Potential side-effects of apartments going into downtown Roachdale were discussed among hydrant flushing and a free micro-chip clinic for pets at Roachdale Town Council's monthly meeting Tuesday night.

Several Roachdale residents were in attendance to air concerns over possible side-effects of having apartments built in the town's downtown area, traditionally where businesses would be located.

Those trying to revitalize downtown and those with businesses downtown fear that Roachdale does not necessarily need more apartments and that parking will become a major concern once apartments are finished.

The issue has touched several nerves as it brings to light what it means to have -- or in Roachdale's case not to have -- zoning ordinances that designate different areas for business and residential use.

The issue was brought up during the December meeting with business owners Jan Ferrand and Jack Watson informing the board they plan to convert their former tavern into apartments.

During that meeting, both Holly Cook of the Roachdale Revitalization Cooperative Alliance, and board member Zach Bowers expressly said they do not think that kind of development would be a positive step.

"I would hate to see that happen," Bowers told them.

Ferrand and Watson listened to the grievances but claimed Roachdale's lack of zoning and a failed restaurant as enough reason to go ahead with repurposing the building.

"I would have loved for it to have been different and I'm not trying to be mean," Ferrand said, "but I am also tired of throwing money away."

Seeking zoning ordinances for the town is also an option but, requires a large amount of time, money and resources to get processed.

The conversation picked back up at this month's meeting, discussing the issues of parking and whether or not an ordinance could be passed to prevent long-term parking to occur in prime parking locations that could otherwise be used by merchants.

The council said they would look into drafting a downtown parking ordinance to help protect parking spaces for business owners and their patrons.

The board did received informational updates on two events that will affect residents of the Roachdale, a free micro-chipping clinic for pets and a scheduled hydrant flushing.

The microchipping event is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Roachdale Town Hall, 205 N. Indiana St.

Veterinarians typically charge for this service but in an effort to help keep pets under control, it is being provided free of charge in conjunction with the Putnam County Humane Society, which is not yet operating out of a physical shelter but is working to help lay the groundwork for its eventual reopening.

The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice that is placed between the shoulder blades to help identify lost, stolen and stray animals.

Meanwhile, the town has slated hydrant flushing for Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 20 and 21 beginning at 8 a.m., weather permitting.

In other business:

* The board approved a snow route ordinance to designate what roads will be plowed during inclement winter weather and where vehicles may be parked. It will become enforceable 30 days after a legal notification has been published in the Banner Graphic.

Roachdale Town Council meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 10 at the Roachdale Town Hall.