WARSAW — Property zoned industrial near Syracuse, but which seems to be better suited zoned commercial is one step closer to being rezoned.

During its regular monthly meeting Wednesday, Aug. 3, in Warsaw the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission considered the petition of Robert Vandal. He wants to rezone about 1 acre of property from industrial II to commercial along the west side of SR 13, north of CR 1000N in Turkey Creek Township.

Attorney Jack Birch represented Vandal at the meeting and said an awning business was most recently located on the property. He noted the property was probably zoned industrial several years ago, but commercial is a better fit based on the surrounding properties. Birch did not specify any particular plans for the property.

The APC recommended approval for the petition and it will be considered next by the county commissioners Tuesday, Aug. 23.

In other business, a rezoning petition by Stonehill Homes of Indiana was recommended for approval. The petition asks for property along the east side of SR 15, north of Levi Lee Road in Plain Township, to be rezoned from agricultural to commercial. Dan Richard, area planning director, said only a small portion of the tract is still zoned agricultural.

He added the property is located within the northern portion of the overlay district of the county set up a few years ago to add additional planning controls for targeted areas of development. The county has better control over state road access points, for example.

Steve Carlisle of Stonehill Homes said his son wants to buy the property and live in the house, but a mortgage can’t be obtained when there is more than one zoning classification in effect. County commissioners will consider the petition at their Aug. 23 meeting.

Also on the agenda, the APC considered a rezoning petition from Ricky and Diana Watters and Wilma Davis. They want to rezone ground from agricultural to residential on the east side of Palestine Lane, south of Lakeview Park Drive in Harrison Township.

Ricky Watters said he and his niece want to help an aunt and grandmother take care of the property and have one new home built. The number of sell-offs allowed by county ordinance has been exhausted, so the property must be rezoned with at least a two-lot subdivision.

One nearby property owner, Teresa Miller, asked about the location of a 50-foot easement that is required to be put in place, but she said she has no objection to one home being built on the property.

County commissioners will consider the petition at their Aug. 23 meeting.