Board approves plan to convert former bottling plant into community center serving formerly incarcerated people

Planning staff presented a request to use a former Coca‑Cola bottling plant on a Main Street parcel as a community center to assist formerly incarcerated individuals and their families; staff recommended approval with conditions.

Staff noted the site is in an M‑1 district where community centers are not a permitted use and that the application therefore required a use variance. Staff also highlighted parking implications: if the activity was classified as a church for worship services, 46 parking spaces would be required; petitioners said most clients walk or bike and that Sunday‑morning demand is expected to be low.

Corey Martin, executive director of the Elkhart County Jail Ministry, described current meetings at another church and told the board many clients lack cars. Martin said the petitioner had discussed using the nearby city utilities parking lot on Sunday mornings and would accept reasonable conditions such as signage or a release of liability if required. The petitioner also submitted letters of support and community fundraising for the project.

Board members discussed screening between the facility and adjacent residences, potential fencing and gate access to the utilities lot, and the need to document any parking easement. A motion to approve the request and adopt staff findings and conditions passed by voice vote.

The approval is subject to staff-recommended conditions including appropriate screening between parking and residences, construction of a gate if city parking is used, and any additional site improvements the city requires.