A crowd of 120 packed Plymouth City Hall Wednesday night as the Plan Commission weighed the largest rezoning request in recent memory — and after two hours of testimony, the vote was unanimous.
The Plymouth Plan Commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council to rezone nearly 900 acres on the city's northeast side, clearing a key hurdle for Indiana Tool & Manufacturing's ambitious Indiana Innovation Center and District.
The decision came after two hours of explanation, discussion, public comment, and deliberation — including questions and comments from 19 residents, five submitted letters, and extensive conversation among commission members.
The land at the center of the request is bounded by 6th Road to the north, Michigan Road to the west, Veterans Parkway to the south, and Lilac Road to the east. Indiana Tool requested changing the zoning from R-1 and R-2 residential to Industrial.
The plan is to create the Indiana Innovation Center and District, giving entrepreneurs and emerging technology companies space to launch within the existing Indiana Tool facility and then grow by building on lots within the district.
Plymouth Plan Director Ty Adley explained that Indiana Tool intends to work with startup companies and larger opportunities that would benefit the community.
A letter from Gary Neidig of Indiana Tool stated that the Innovation District would focus on advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, research and commercialization, advanced communications, cybersecurity, and other intensive technology industries.
Adley addressed one of the public's chief concerns head-on. He pointed out that Plymouth's industrial zoning designation does not permit large-scale solar, wind, or electric power generation without approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals and a public hearing.
He also noted that data centers are not a listed use within the city's zoning ordinance and are therefore considered not permitted — a significant clarification amid widespread speculation that a data center was planned for the site.
Despite the favorable vote, not everyone was convinced. Some residents living near the proposed rezoning area raised concerns about the shift to industrial zoning, noting that Indiana Tool had not specified exactly what type of industry would be built there.
The company's letter outlined the broad focus areas of the innovation district but did not detail specific businesses or facilities.
The rezoning request now moves to the Plymouth Common Council, which will consider both the rezoning and the annexation request at its meeting on Monday, November 9th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Given the turnout Wednesday night, a large crowd is expected again.
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