Category: Articles

In a recurring move, the Lapel Board of Zoning Appeals has decided to defer their judgment on a proposal by a Chicago-based company to establish a recycling facility for automotive parts south of the town.

During the recent zoning board session, there were extensive deliberations for a duration of three hours, with advocates and critics sharing their viewpoints regarding the LKQ Midwest project petition.

To facilitate further deliberation, the board has arranged another meeting, which will take place on October 30 at 6 p.m. at The Station, located at 1020 N. Main St.

Central to the discussions were inquiries related to the groundwater aquifer beneath the proposed site, including concerns about the possible abandonment of a well located to the north of the site and the plans for future wells to serve the town.

LKQ Midwest’s petition pertains to a special use permit for a 103-acre plot situated near the crossroads of Ind. 13 and Ind. 38. The intended purpose of this facility is to recycle automotive parts for subsequent resale. Lapel Planning Administrator, Oksana Polhuy, has given her endorsement for the special use request, underscoring LKQ’s possession of stormwater permits from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, as well as valid licenses to operate salvage yards in Indiana.

Nonetheless, hydrologist Tim Northam raised concerns about the presence of a significant aquifer beneath the proposed site, cautioning against the potential risk of contamination from runoff. He expressed reservations about the wisdom of locating an industrial facility in such proximity to the town’s well.

In response, Attorney Joe Calderon, representing LKQ Midwest, explained that the company had engaged a third party to perform a groundwater study in the vicinity, which revealed a low risk of contamination. Calderon cited the APEX study, indicating that the water flows in a direction away from Lapel’s well to the north of the proposed site.

Jim Nelson, a key figure in the project’s development, mentioned that the APEX study also examined the wellhead protection plan, highlighting the presence of a liner with a clay overlay in the retention pond at the LKQ site.

The proposed $20 million project holds the potential to generate up to 70 jobs, with an average annual salary of $40,000, according to Calderon. Company officials have indicated that some employees from a facility in Avon that is slated for closure might have the option to transfer to the Lapel location.

Zoning board member Tim Munro took note of the nearby residences, numbering at 14, and expressed concerns about the potential impact on private wells in the area.

Member Jeff Keith emphasized feedback from various real estate agents who indicated that the development could adversely affect property values in the region.

Munro added that the site had witnessed several zoning alterations over the past year and questioned whether sufficient time and effort had been invested in making the right decision. He also pointed out that the current plan does not align with the town’s comprehensive plan, as per his perspective.