Friday, August 15, 2025
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BZA Approves Solar Project Changes, Kennel; Denies Pool Hall Request
The Shelby County Board of Zoning Appeals on Tuesday approved changes to the landscape buffer requirements for the Speedway Solar Project, granted a variance for a small-scale dog kennel and rejected a request to operate a pool hall in a residential estate district.
The solar project modification allows developers to adjust required tree plantings in areas where buffers conflict with drainage tile, power lines or farming operations. County Surveyor Jeff Powell told the board the landscaping plan was designed years before a detailed drainage plan, and “drainage tiles and trees don’t go together real well.” Project manager Danny Norris said most affected trees will be relocated, with landowner consent, rather than removed entirely.
In another unanimous vote, the board approved Morgan Kalmes’ petition to operate a home business kennel at 12230 E. McGregor Rd. in Moral Township, along with a variance for a 960-square-foot pole barn. Kalmes described the kennel as “a personal, purpose-driven space designed to offer compassionate, structured and safe care for a limited number of dogs,” capped at six boarding dogs under county standards. She agreed to stipulations requiring compliance with kennel rules, adherence to the submitted business plan and site plan, and placement of outdoor runs west of the building.
Board members also voted to deny Wendy and William Curry’s proposal to run a commercial pool hall from their property at 4980 W. Range Rd. in Brandywine Township. Neighbors and nearby farmers cited concerns about traffic, parking, zoning conflicts and past disputes. Attorney Michael Boring, representing multiple adjacent landowners, called it “converting a residential estate zoned property into a full-scale commercial entertainment venue.” Curry told the board the alcohol-free venue would be 18 and older, with a 50-player cap, and said, “We would like to provide a safe, clean and positive outlet for socializing and recreation.”
Earlier in the meeting, the board approved a 20-by-24-foot extension to a pole barn at 5574 S. Wilson Meadows Dr. in Shelby Township for property owner Edwin Kluemper. The addition will exceed the size limit for accessory structures but will be screened by a privacy fence.
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NOTEBOOK:
The Rotary Club of Shelbyville will host its second annual Bourbon & Beast Feast on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Suite 415, 415 E. Hendricks St. Doors open at 6 p.m. The evening will feature a buffet with entrees including elk, wild boar and quail; three bourbon tastings paired with DeBrand Fine Chocolates; a complimentary glass of wine; silent and live auctions; and a new “bag pull” with 25 chances to win a bottle of bourbon or wine. Proceeds will benefit the Grover Museum. Tickets are $150 and available at www.suite415.com. For details, contact Ray Wetnight at rdw1953@gmail.com or 317-401-0725, or Janie Schuster at janieschuster15@gmail.com.
Yesterday’s Shelbyville High School GBTV announcements briefly introduced the class presidents and previewed the upcoming volleyball season.
HOOSIER NEWS: Arrow Street Development is planning a $75 million mixed-income apartment project on 3.65 acres along the Monon Trail in midtown Indianapolis. The proposal for 1140 E. 46th St. includes about 312 units, an enclosed parking garage with up to 242 spaces, 50 surface parking spaces and 6,000 square feet of retail. The mix would include moderate-income, lower-income and market-rate apartments. The site, partly once eyed for a townhome development, extends to Carvel Avenue within the Keystone-Monon neighborhood. The city’s Metropolitan Development Commission hearing examiner is set to consider a rezoning request Sept. 11, with construction anticipated to begin in spring 2026. (IBJ)
NATIONAL NEWS: Amazon is expanding free same-day delivery of fresh groceries for Prime members in more than 1,000 U.S. cities, with plans to reach over 2,300 by year’s end. The service, available on orders over $25, now allows customers to add perishable items such as milk and produce to orders for household goods and receive them within hours. Non-Prime customers can access the service for $12.99 per order, while Prime members below the minimum pay $2.99. Amazon, which generated over $100 billion in grocery and household essentials sales last year, says the rollout is part of a $4 billion investment to triple its delivery network by 2026. (IBJ)
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ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCEMENT
Mike and Barb (Mann) Thomas, Shelbyville, celebrate 60 years of marriage today. They were married August 15, 1965, at First Methodist Church, Shelbyville. They have one child, Michelle (David) Phares, and two grandchildren, Evan Phares and Tanner (Madalyn) Phares. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas owned Thomas Supermarket and are members of and involved with First United Methodist Church. Mrs. Thomas is also involved in P.E.O. Happy anniversary!
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This Day in Shelby County History
Local headlines reported on or around this date in Shelby County history. Selections are curated by The Addison Times from Shelby County Public Library Genealogy Department materials.
2005: Gas America opened at its new location at the intersection of North State Road 9 and I-74.
1995: The Cellular Connection, 46 Public Square, opened for business, offering a free Nokia 100 with a two-year service agreement.
1985: Cochran’s Grocery near Lewis Creek closed after 38 years in business. Bob and Willa Cochran had opened the store in 1947. The station then offered two gas pumps. At the time, there were three other grocery stores in the area, two stores each in Marietta, Flat Rock and Mt. Auburn and at least 43 stores in Shelbyville. The Cochrans had kept the store going on a seven-day-a-week basis with the help of their sons, Dennis and Mike, and later from their wives.
Lourene Gunning of Waldron was named 1985 Shelby County Senior Fair Queen.
1975: The Shelbyville High School football team was preparing for their first game. Returners who had lettered the previous year included Lonnie Denton, Sam Ardery, Nelson Hastings, Kevin McLeod, Jeff Kolls, Bob Toon, Mike O’Neal, Kim Garlitch, Bill Buchanan, Cary Newton, Brian Jones and Steve Walburn.
1965: Thomas Forgary, 75, retired from his position as head of Shelby County schools, which he had held for 36 years. The Shelbyville News described him as “old as the Eiffel Tower, and in almost as good shape.”
The stone walls of the new addition to the Standard Store on N. Harrison St. were under construction.
1955: Mr. and Mrs. Richard Pursley leased the T-P Restaurant at Washington and Noble streets from Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fancher. The restaurant was open 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
1945: Thousands were celebrating in Indianapolis at the news of an imminent end to the war, but the official announcement had yet to come. “The circle around the soldiers’ and sailors’ monument of dripping youngsters, who dived gleefully into the monument pool, climbed out and dived in again,” The Republican said. “Several sailors jumped in, uniform and all.”
1935: Funeral services were held for Stanley Jones, a local businessman. He had been manager and vice-president of the Stanley Jones Agency. Jones had been a graduate of the School of Pharmacy at Purdue University. From 1906 to 1914, he operated a drug store. He then became city clerk before starting his insurance agency.
1925: Shelby County Auditor George Parrish said that if dog owners who had not yet paid the tax didn’t do so soon, he would publish a list of names in the newspaper.
1915: Coroner Dr. George Inlow said he could not ascertain who should be blamed for an auto accident that killed Mrs. William Harrell of Fairland. Her vehicle had been struck by an I & C train.
ADDISON TIMES MAJOR SPONSOR: Freeman Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
OBITUARIES
William Edward “Ed” Pike, 77, of Shelbyville, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at his residence. He was born Oct. 28, 1947, in Shelbyville, the son of Bernard Pike and Nellie Mae (Whitlock) Pike. On Sept. 6, 1969, he married Barbara Hope Lynch, and she survives. Other survivors include his son, Jamie (Glenda) Pike of Knightstown; six grandchildren, Kaleb (Kayla) Pike of Fairland, Ashley (David) Thacker of Brodhead, Kentucky, Robert (Alivea) Pike of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, Abby Berling of Morristown, Bayleigh (Bayley) Tinkle of Knightstown, and Zachary (Elexus) Peacock of Knightstown; six great-grandchildren, Paislee and Jesse Thacker (expected in November 2025), Knox and Kash Pike, and Adelaide Tinkle; brother-in-law Bill Lewis of Hope; niece Kathi Houchens of Columbus; and son-in-law Jesse Berling of Morristown. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jessica Berling; sister, Charlene Lewis; and great-grandson, Beau Jameson Pike.
A lifelong Shelby County resident, Mr. Pike graduated from Southwestern High School in 1965. He worked as a machine operator at Superior Essex for 20 years and at the GE Wire Mill for 25 years, retiring in 2004. He was a member of Naamah Chapter 73 OES; Shelbyville Lodge 28; the Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis; and the Murat Shriners of Indianapolis. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War, earning the rank of YN-3.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at Glenn E. George & Son Funeral Home, 437 Amos Road, with the Rev. Mark Dodd officiating. Burial will be in Second Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be held 20 minutes prior to the funeral service. Online condolences: glennegeorgeandson.com.