Salisbury council approves rezoning of three Beam Road parcels to heavy industrial

The Salisbury Town Council voted 5-0 Aug. 25 to rezone three parcels on Beam Road — 1005, 1117 and a portion of 1128 Beam Road — changing their zoning from I-1 (light industrial) and B-3 (highway business) to I-2 (heavy industrial). The change follows a favorable recommendation from the town planning commission and a presentation from planning staff explaining the applicant’s intention to consolidate adjacent parcels into a single parcel for tax and operational purposes. Jake, a planning staff member, told the council that the three small parcels, which are under common ownership, include two light-industrial parcels and a highway-business portion and that rezoning would “consolidate all of that into 1 parcel number” so the owner would have a single tax bill. He said the owner discussed plans to blacktop and stripe the site for storage-trailer use and had already talked with the nearby airport about the project. Council discussion referenced site conditions, including a portion of the area in a flood plain and that the site would be accessed from Bean Road (a county-maintained road). A council member noted the change would not alter county road weight restrictions. The landowner, Mr. Pixley, was present and signaled support for the project; the applicant, Mr. Lavalley, also attended and was described by a council official as cooperative in working with the town. Council member Matt moved to adopt the planning commission recommendation; Council member Terry seconded. The council voted 5-0 in favor, then waived the second reading and adopted ordinance 2025-OR-018 that implements the rezoning. The rezoning ordinance cites Indiana Code 36-7-4-608, the statutory provision the council referenced when considering the planning commission’s recommendation. The council record shows no amendments to the commission’s recommendation; the ordinance will take effect upon signature by the majority of the duly elected members of the council. Less-critical details: council members said landscaping and other site details would be addressed in the fall during follow-up discussions with the applicant.