City intervenes in Gary rezoning controversy

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Webb

Updated: March 1, 2012 8:05AM

GARY — The city’s new Department of Commerce is attempting to salvage a business whose bid for a rezoning was rejected soundly by the City Council.

J. Forest Hayes, director of the new Department of Commerce, said Friday he was working with Larry Webb, who runs a charter bus service that planned to move to the former Beckman Middle School at 1430 W. 23rd Ave. The council rejected Webb’s special-use rezoning request Jan. 17 after neighbors opposed the pollution and noise from the business.

Hayes said Ford Motor Co. was interested in selling its property at 3333 Grant St. Ford closed its dealership there in 2006 but still is paying taxes on the property.

While nothing has been officially secured, there is interest on Ford’s part to sell the property to the city, Hayes said. But “closing any type of a deal” is a long way off, Hayes added.

Webb said he’s willing to work with the new administration.

“The administration is trying to get it settled,” he said.

Last year, Webb purchased Beckman from the Gary Community School Corp. for $100,000 and planned to relocate his businesses — Eclipse Charters & Tours, Eclipse Limousine Service and Larry E. Webb Construction Co.

The council vote snagged Webb’s plans as he had sold his business property at 9340 Melton Road to the National Park Service for $378,000. The park service has given Webb until Wednesday to vacate his former property.

Reach reporter Carole Carlson
at 648-3154.