The St. Joseph Township Planning Commission has advanced the latest proposal for the Nye’s Apple Barn site on Niles Road.
At a meeting this week, the commission approved a rezoning request from property owner John Nye. He’s seeking to rezone half of the property from R1 Residential to B2 Business, a general business district. There is not yet any specific development planned beyond that.
Attorney Pat Lennon tells us the idea is to allow businesses to occupy the part of the 12-acre property that’s along Niles Road. The rest of the property could be used for residential development.
This plan was proposed by Nye after township planners declined to advance a previous proposal that would have included multi-family housing units, two restaurants, and a gas station. Both proposals have been opposed by nearby residents who have concerns about things like noise and traffic. Nevertheless, the township planning commission signed off on the rezoning and has sent it to the full St. Joseph Township Board of Trustees.
Lennon says he and Nye are pleased with the commission’s decision and that the body made the right choices.
