BZA to decide fate of proposed social services complex
North Central Health Services says it's now or never
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

The Carroll County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) has the dubious distinction of deciding if a well-received concept to build a comprehensive social service agency complex will be allowed on a controversial site at the intersection of Summit St. and Prince William Rd. in Delphi. The plan was developed by North Central Health Services (NCHS) and would house several social service agencies under one roof, providing one-stop shopping for clients.

But what began as a project to address a need in the Carroll County community by the Carroll County Family Health Clinic, currently on US421 near Brosman's Grocery Store, has turned into a confusing situation in which there are angry Delphi residents with hard feelings.

The building site first became controversial approximately one year ago when the Area IV Development Corporation proposed building low-tomoderate income housing at the same location. At that time, adjoining landowners and neighbors strongly objected to the plan. Developers withdrew the planned building on that site and moved it to its present location on the Crooked Road to Flora/Delphi. It is now called Water Tower Place.

A similar situation will be presented at the Oct. 23, 7 p.m. Carroll County Area Plan Commission meeting. APC will give a non-binding recommendation to the BZA, which meets after APC on the same night.

Delphi City Council voted unanimously at the Oct. 1 meeting to oppose the building site to send a message to the BZA. According to zoning administrator Dale Huffer, BZA has the final decision in the matter.

The current Carroll County Zoning Ordinance states that before a special exception is granted the BZA shall find: (a) that the special exception will not endanger the public health, safety, morals, comfort or general welfare; (b) that the special exception will not be injurious to the use and enjoyment of other property in the vicinity nor diminish and impair property values within the neighborhood; (c) that the special exception will not impede the normal and orderly development and improvement of the surrounding property for uses permitted in the district; (d) that adequate utilities, access roads, drainage and other necessary facilities have been or are being provided; (e) that ingress and egress points are so designed as to minimize traffic congestion in the public streets.

To explain the need, Purdue's School of Nursing clinics director Julie Novak said Friday the family clinic was at client capacity three years ago and needed a larger facility for Purdue nursing students and staff to serve more clients. After talking to the owners of the current property, it became apparent to Novak and the clinic board of directors the clinic would have to be located elsewhere for them to provide additional services.

Novak and the clinic board approached the NCHS for a new facility. They were told it would be more efficient and a better use of space to build a complex for several social service agencies.

"Everyone came to us and asked for help," NCHS CEO and President JohnWalling said in the same interview.

Walling said even commissioner George Mears was in favor of the concept and visited his office to suggest the county health department would be an appropriate agency to relocate in the new one.

Initially, negotiations began for development near the Arnett Clinic on Armory Road. However, it became apparent that location was not going to be suitable.

According to Walling, NCHS began working with local developer Greg Zimpfer to find another suitable location. They spent many hours driving the Carroll County community looking at different locations and properties.

The clinic board provided parameters, as did other agencies, which were considering the consolidation move. Walling said he was in contact with Delphi Mayor Lee Hoard, who is on the clinic board, about possible locations.

"We talked to the mayor a long time ago about this," Walling said.

According to Walling, approximately a year ago, it was decided to pursue a site near the intersection of Prince William and Summit. NCHS hired an architect to design a building based on the information provided by the boards of the agencies involved

Walling said the developer was in communication with the county surveyor to discuss drainage. He contacted the city's water department to find out about city utilities. And in August, an option to purchase the land was accepted by the landowners. Local attorney Barry Emerson was paid to prepare land sale documents for NCHS.

Walling maintained the site location is supported by the family clinic board. He said after completion of construction, NCHS will hand the keys to the agencies involved. They will "completely own the package deal." The partners would not be allowed to sell the building. In case of a corporate dissolution, NCHS would step back in and resume control of the facility.

According to Walling, there will be no ambulances, no sirens, no busloads of people, and no helicopter pad to annoy neighbors.

Walling said the family health clinic's board of directors continued to support NCHS's efforts throughout the process. He explained NCHS has a commitment to the landowners and plans to honor that commitment.

Hoard said Monday he informed Walling early on there would most likely be opposition to the chosen location for the facility. He said he directed NCHS to property east of Water Tower Place, which is close to the schools, near a major road and fit the criteria established by the family clinic board.

"I think the project needs to go where NCHS wants to put it," Hoard said.

He said he did not believe the complex, now designed to house CDC Resources, Area IV Agency on Aging, the Women, Infants and Children Program, the Community Action Program and the clinic would lower property values of surrounding land as rumored.

"How could a $3 million project not improve property taxes?" Hoard asked. "The council only heard one side of the situation."

Former county commissioner Clara Rider is the president of the family health clinic board of directors. She said the facility was going to be a "beautiful building."

"I am totally amazed that people want to give the community a $3 million building and residents are opposed to that," she said.

Rider said the board did not know until recently where the construction was planned.

"The majority of the board does not object to the site," she said. "They are thankful for the gift."

However, Rider said she told Walling there might be opposition to the site.

Walling said a building design was completed by Keystone Architecture. Kettlehut Construction was hired for the construction work.

"I talked to the mayor a long time ago," Walling said. "NCHS is prepared to go forward as we planned, when we planned and where we planned. We are proceeding as we have always said we would. For 18 months, we presumed we had the complete support from this community. We will do it here, now."

Walling said NCHS has "focused all efforts to go before the BZA" on Oct. 23.

"We follow all the rules," he said. "If they say yes, then we proceed."

Walling said if the BZA rejects the request for a special exception, "then Carroll County is saying they don't want us here." He said NCHS is not willing to modify plans for the construction site.

"We've got to continue on our plan," he explained. "We've got to be successful on Oct. 23 or it won't be done. This is the opportunity for this community to say yes or no to this project. There is no future commitment. That is consistent with our continued obligation to the land owners."

"There was no intent to be secretive," Walling concluded. "We are deeply sorry if we have offended any resident."

**Color plans for the construction and building layout can be viewed at the Comet office in Delphi.

Carroll County Family Health Clinic Board members include:

• Clara Rider - President;
• Gil Smith - Vice President;
• Kay Ross - Secretary;
• Amy Adams; Jo Brooks; Bob Conner; Mike Fife; Lee Hoard; Norm Miller; David Weckerly; Janet Smith; and Deb Buffenbarger.