At its February 28 meeting the four-member Bristol Town Council (BTC) voted unanimously to change the zoning of the Bristolpipe property on East Vistula Street from M-1 (manufacturing) to B-2 (business).
The decision followed a lengthy public hearing, during which the 50 audience members heard arguments on both sides of the issue. The session was held in the meeting room of the Bristol Public Library to accommodate the large number citizens interested in this issue and the later hearing about forming a new fire protection territory.
The assembly was informed that the Elkhart County Plan Commission had voted against the proposed rezoning. Robert Nemeth, a member of the Planning Department, was on hand to present the reasons for the commission’s opposition. He noted that the Plan Commission is merely advisory in this regard, and that the final decision rests with the elected members of the Bristol Town Council.

Nemeth stated that zoning changes are normally requested by the property owner, which was not the case in this matter. (The BTC has long felt that a manufacturing plant, even though in existence at the Vistula Street site since 1959, is not appropriate on the main street of a downtown area.)

Nemeth also noted that the Bristolpipe building could be used for other business purposes without rezoning, if so desired. He mentioned that there is a potential buyer for the facilities, whose interest might be adversely affected by a zoning change.

Glenn Duncan, legal counsel for the BTC, then summarized the reasons he had presented to the county Plan Commission for the rezoning. He began by saying that there was no need for Bristol to lose jobs over this issue, since the current owner could continue to manufacture pipe there under a “non-conforming use,” commonly known as “grandfathering.”

Duncan then described the primary concern of the BTC, namely, that the M-1 classification is broad enough to permit the use of the property for industries that could generate waste products that would be harmful to the town’s sewer system. He noted that covenant restrictions prohibit such industries in Bristol’s two large commercial parks.

The floor was then opened for public comments. The current owner of the affected property said that Bristolpipe has “been a good neighbor,” and that only one formal complaint has been filed. He is confident that many letters supporting his position could have been obtained, if that had been desired.

Dennis Marcott, an Elkhart businessman, informed the group that he was interested in purchasing the building, but a zoning change might cause him to rethink his plans. He said that he “wants to be a good citizen,” and that he “doesn’t want to cause trouble.”

After several other audience members made comments, both pro and con, the public hearing was declared to be closed. The four members of the BTC then gave their unanimous approval to the zoning change.

Following brief intermission, a public hearing was then held concerning the proposed new Fire Protection Territory. (See separate article for a complete report on that subject.)