The new property for a proposed Pizza Ranch is just west of First Bank Financial Centre and just east of Hankerson’s Country Oven Bakery. According to current plans there would be one entrance and exit to the restaurant off W. Washington Street.
“I don’t see this as a good idea to exit right… what happens if they want to go west,” asked commission member Jed Dolnick.
After Dolnick expressed his reservations the rest of the Plan Commission slowly chimed in.
Commission member Jim White said, “There could be a lot of accidents and those headed west would have to go to Hankersons entrance (to turn) and there’s so much congestion there already with McDonald’s and Burger King and the car wash.”
Matt Gehring is developing the Pizza Ranch with his wife Stacy. He said, “The community is just going to have to wait a little bit longer and we’ll have to get some cooperation from Sendik’s if we hope to move forward.”
The Gehrings have reached out to the owners of Sendik’s in hopes of gaining an access point out the back of their lot.
According to Adam Williquette with Anderson Commercial they are “trying to work out an easement.”
“We will be back,” said Williquette. “Everyone has a common goal.”
A traffic impact study is also underway to give the Plan Commission a better idea on traffic flow.
The Gehrings have an accepted offer on the property however they have not closed on the purchase.