Cloverdale seeks citizens to fill committees

CLOVERDALE -- The Town of Cloverdale is seeking members of the community to fill open committee spots.

Clerk-treasurer Cheryl Galloway said there are openings on the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) and the Redevelopment Commission (RDC). Due to the structure of the laws surrounding the committees, the members would need to be of either Democrat or Independent parties. She explained this is because one political party cannot fill more than half of the committee positions.

Galloway said this is an exciting time to be a part of the RDC because the town is welcoming new businesses and working toward filling empty buildings in the town. With the close proximity to Interstate 70 and U.S. 231, the town has caught the eye of at least one new business . Steak 'n Shake will be moving into the former Wendy's building. Cloverdale Police Chief Mike Clark said the business is waiting for approval from the Indiana State Fire Marshal's office before construction can begin.

"This is an exciting time. There is a lot of growth going on. The RDC is a part of that growth in the community," Galloway said.

"For so many years it was stagnant, and we are moving forward."

The Cloverdale Redevelopment Commission meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m.

The Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) reviews projects denied by the Plan Commission. Galloway explained if an issue is brought before the Plan Commission to seek an ordinance variance and the commission denies the variance, the request is then forwarded to the BZA for review.

"If someone wants to put up an eight-foot fence, and the ordinance says they can only have a six-foot fence, they can request a variance," Galloway explained.

The BZA and Plan Commission meet the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.

Clark stressed the importance of these committees as the town makes strides toward the future.

"Growth is going to happen. Why not make sure it grows the right way?" Clark said.

To learn more about how to volunteer for one of the committees, contact Galloway at Cloverdale Town Hall at 765-795-6033.

Cloverdale is also seeking additional businesses to move into the town. Galloway said there are still some empty buildings downtown near Main Street that need to be filled.

"The red carpet is already rolled out for them," Galloway said with a smile.

Galloway said the town is seeking grants for beautification of the buildings downtown. In addition, she said the RDC is working hard to make sure the town is appealing to potential businesses.

"I think peoples' eyes are opening. We are 30 minutes from everywhere, like Indianapolis and Terre Haute," Galloway said.