Allen County commissioners want to know if a change in plans for the parking lot at the new G&W Foods should cost less than first thought. And, if so, is the county due a refund on part of the $180,000 grant commissioners provided for the project.
Discussion occurred after Commissioner Jim Talkington said “it irks me they tried to sneak one in behind us.”
Original plans — “as best I remember,” said Gregg Hutton, Iola code enforcement officer — showed the parking lot extending south from the grocery store to the edge of Madison Avenue, as it runs east from First Street.
In more recent plans, a buffer of green grass about 20 feet deep and 100 feet wide, will edge the lot along Madison.
Hutton said parking was sufficient to meet code-imposed needs of the grocery and the medical arts building, just southeast of the grocery. Also, he noted, the grass strip will be on advantage for drainage of rainwater.
Nevertheless, Talkington maintains fewer parking spaces should result in fewer dollars.
Does this mean “we can lower our contribution?” Talkington asked. Commissioner Tom Williams agreed it was a valid point to which County Counselor Alan Weber will pursue.
Parking lot size catches county’s eye
