Hancock County Plan Commission: September 23, 2026
MEETING: Hancock County Plan Commission
Date: 9-23-26
Recorder: Cathy Cooper
BACKGROUND: See 9/10 Citizens Subcommittee on Data Center Siting
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT AGENDA ITEMS AND KEY POINTS:
At the start of the meeting, two hearing items granted continuance to October:
· Singh, Harmandeep/Commercial Neighborhood, 3637 W US 40, Greenfield, Rezoning of 3637 W US 40 Greenfield from CN (Commercial Neighborhood) to CC (Commercial Community) for golf cart repair shop & outside parking
· Smiley, Julie/Lara Investments/Commercial Neighborhood, Approximate address 3874 W US 40, Greenfield, rezoning of 8.40 acres to allow development of small business park for Foster Contracting, Inc. commercial roofing business located between 3820 & 3896 W US 40 Continue to October
Addition hearing item:
· Singh Retail Center, including gas station. 8000 W US 52, New Palestine (SE corner of US 52 and Carroll Rd)
Plan Commission Staff report (Kayla Brooks) recommends a continuance due to several variances and waivers related to drainage, street layout, water, sewer, and landscaping. Engineer of the project spoke in favor and could not address in writing resolution to any of the outstanding issue.
Three citizens spoke in opposition citing the following issues: drainage, traffic flow at already busy intersection, light pollution, well protection, against granting of variances and waivers, history of developers not adhering to commitments.
Action:
Refer the matter back to the Technical Committee to address the issues outlined above.
Awaiting INDOT traffic impact study is due in 3 weeks.
On schedule for 9/24 BZA for special exception for gas station.
· Hancock Health/Hancock Gateway Park Wellness District Planned Unit Development (PUD), Approximate address 6100-6400 W 200 N, Greenfield. Located in TIF district. Mixed use urban planning initiative with residential village concept, commercial, conservation corridor along Buck Creek, wellness including a park and inclusive playground. Development will progress over 10-15 years.
A lengthy presentation by a Hancock Health representative was followed by commission discussion and testimony in opposition:
o Traffic impact issues
o Since it is TIF district, get input from school district
o Effect on property values of existing homes in the original portion of Heron Creek subdivision.
Action: Due to complexity of proposal, absent commission members, continuance to October to allow adequate time to review.
Data Center
List of questions from Citizens Committee on Data Center Siting.
Action: Accept—but do not adopt—the final report as a resource for drafting future ordinances and agreements. The Plan Commission staff has received BOC approval to hire a consulting firm to draft the overlay ordinance, using the questions in this document as guidance.
Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Adoption Update
First step completed: Accepted by Shirley and Spring Lake and BOC
Next step: post on website and in newspaper. Effective 14 days after publication
ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS, NOTES, FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS:
BZA 9-24-26
Singh Retail Center, including gas station. 8000 W US 52, New Palestine (SE corner of US 52 and Carroll Rd).
Petitioner requested extension of special exception for gas station. Strip mall to the east, not included in this request. Lengthy presentation on steps they have followed over the past year and requesting approval tonight. Of note, this property was zoned CN (commercial neighborhood) before the build of adjacent neighborhood (Fields of Sugar Creek)
Followed by opposition testimony: traffic, light pollution, drainage and NIMBY issues.
Board member decision criteria that they require:
· Utility access
· Traffic (await INDOT report)
· Feedback from Tech Committee
Action:
Denied 3-1 for gas station time extension.
Petitioner may re-apply immediately.
