LBZA approves petitions for Ace Rent-A-Car, food pantry

Hallie Gallinat, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·2 min read

Apr. 17—Logansport residents may soon have a new option for car rentals.

In addition to approving variances for an Ace Rent-A-Car, the Logansport Board of Zoning Appeals also approved requests from a planned food pantry coming to Logansport.

Osborn's Auto World, located at 1130 W. Market St. and 929 W. Miami Ave., requested a special exception and various variance from developmental standards to allow car rental.

Planning Director Arin Shaver said this petition would amend a previous one, as in 2018, they were only approved for selling of vehicles, but the board's ordinance allows for both selling and rental as one use. Because of this, property owner Terry Osborn and operator Bill Thompson came back to request for rentals to be on the property, which would be located at 1130 W. Market St.

Osborn said the rental would be contracted to Ace Rent-A-Car, a national service. The plan is to open when it gets the signage up, which should be in three to four weeks.

"I think it's great for Logansport," Osborn said. "Right now the only competition out there is Enterprise and... they seem to be pretty busy and hardly ever have any cars on their lot."

Food Pantry at New Life Alliance Church

Jeff Canady of New Life Alliance Church brought forth a petition requesting Variances from Developmental Standards to allow for an accessory structure to be placed in front of the church. This structure would serve as a 10x12 food pantry with paneling installed for insulation and would be located in the parking lot.

Canady said this space would be open at all times for people to come and take what they need. It would be stocked with nonperishable food items, and perhaps household goods and clothing in the future, he said.

The board raised concerns about anyone being able to access the building at anytime. Canady understood but said they do have cameras on the property and it would be in a well lit area. He and the board came to an agreement that this structure would be facing these cameras.

"Our church just wants to support the needs of the public and help out people who may be in need," Canady said to the board.

Board member David Price asked Canady if community members can also donate to the pantry, to which Canady responded that they would be allowing donations from the church and from the public. The board approved the petition and the project will start once a building permit is submitted.