Woods Edge opposes transportation facility
The Greencastle Community School Corporation held a preemptive community meeting Monday to discuss with residents of The Woods Edge subdivision the potential impact a nearby transportation facility may have on the east-side neighborhood.
Board President Denise Sigworth kicked off the meeting by introducing herself, the board members and the details of the potential $1.9 million purchase.
"How did we get here?" Sigworth asked to start the meeting. "We have been looking for property for about the last two years. In 2013, the board approved the use of an architect to start planning a new school bus transportation facility.
"By state law, the school system can only make an offer on a property that is the average of two appraisals," Sigworth added, going on to say that the potential use of a property around the current Vine Street location was nixed due to the average of the two appraisals being too high.
Other properties have been considered and thoroughly investigated, Sigworth said. Up to 10 locations were eyed with only one meeting all of the criteria; it was determined by various architects and the city council that the facility be at least six acres in size, be located within city limits, have ease of access with minimal railroad interference and contain an operations center.
The 30-acre property east of Woods Edge meets all of the criteria, but several questions were raised by neighborhood residents, who received personal invitations to Monday's meeting.
Property value, an increase in traffic, noise and air pollution, a possible over-purchase and tax rates were cited by many.
However, the tax rates will not be affected, says Superintendent Dawn Puckett.
"The funding is fully there in the debt service (and) by Indiana law we are limited on what we can pay or spend on activities like this," Puckett said. "We certainly wouldn't make any sort of decision to do anything that would, in any way, impact the tax rate. '$2 million' is the number the board is looking at that can maintain all of those factors -- we can pay for it out of our current funding."
Puckett added that with no additional tax burden, no referendum is required.
However, due to the overwhelming negative response from the community, the school board will have much to consider before moving forward with a purchase.
The next step for the board will be to submit a formal appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals to acquire the "special exception" status necessary for building in a residentially-zoned area. The city council is not part of the process.
The next BZA meeting to take place will be on Jan. 5, 2016 due to a December cancellation.