MARKLEVILLE — With a favorable recommendation from the Markleville Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals, the Markleville Town Council voted 3-0 Monday to annex land at the southwest corner of State Road 109 and State Road 38, where a Dollar General store is to be built.
Prior to the regular council meeting, the council had its second mandatory public hearing for the annexation. One family who lives in the area attended the public hearing and voiced disapproval.
“I personally want to thank the plan commission, BZA and town council in moving forward with everything with Dollar General,” council president Daniel Roseberry told the council and those at the regular meeting. “I really appreciate the opportunity to spend time to let people, who were not necessarily in the same thought process as we are, to have the opportunity to talk.
“I don’t want to ever take the opportunity to think that because I’m thinking different, it’s the right way. I look forward to having more discussions and move on with different ideas as we serve on this council. I appreciate everyone’s time with this.”
The plan commission recommended to accept the re-plats for the lot that the Dollar General would sit on. It also recommended rezoning the parcel from Agriculture to C1 Commercial.
At the council’s meeting it approved a first reading for rezoning. Roseberry said he expects the second reading for the rezone to take place at the council’s April 26 meeting.
He said if there’s a unanimous vote, members will waive a third reading.

The Dollar General developer requested five variances, and the BZA accepted four with no further modifications.
The lone modification requested was putting in curbs at the location, which are required by ordinance. Dollar General did not want curbs, but they will be included on the south and east sides of the property.
The BZA allowed a change from a maximum size of main entrance from 32 feet wide to the Indiana Department of Transportation recommendation of 36 feet. Another variance allowed a reduction in parking spots from 41 to 35.
Other variances included exemption of providing a buffer yard along the west and east property lines, as well as exemption from foundation plantings, which is landscaping between building and sidewalk.
Roseberry said if rezoning is accepted after its hearing at the next meeting, construction would be able to start.
“Once (the rezoning) is completed we will have completed all of our administrative needs to move forward to build,” Roseberry said.
Muterspaugh Street
The council voted to begin the process of changing the name of Tariff Street to Muterspaugh Street, in honor of a distinguished member of the community who recently passed away.
Charles (Chod) Muterspaugh passed away in November 2020.
He was a volunteer firefighter with Adams Markleville Fire Department for 54 years. He had worked for Elston Richards Warehouse and was a custodian for 21 years at Pendleton Heights High School.
He was 82.
Roseberry said there is only one resident on the street, and that person is a relative of Muterspaugh.
New way to pay
The council voted on a resolution to begin accepting electronic payment for sewer bills.
Previously, residents paid by check via mail or by using the town hall drop box.
Roseberry said residents would receive notice in the mail about how to make electronic payments.
He added that paying by check would still be an option.