WARSAW — Mark Dillon is one step closer to being able to expand his Number 1 Stop Bait & Tackle business along SR 13, south of North Webster.

During the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission Wednesday afternoon, March 1, in Warsaw, the APC recommended approval to rezone ground from residential to commercial at the intersection of SR 13 and CR 350N. Approval was also recommended to rezone a tract of ground 1.70 acres in size behind the bait and tackle shop from agricultural to commercial where Dillon plans to expand his business into.

Dillon plans to not only sell bait and tackle but also to sell food, beer, wine, hunting equipment, firewood and propane and have consignment items for sale such as boats, automobiles and RVs. Some of the consignment items are displayed just off SR 13.

Both petitions were originally considered at the February meeting of the APC but were tabled due to requesting a more detailed site plan and also some concerns about what would be considered consignment items. Several restrictive covenants have been placed on the property including only allowing a maximum of 12 consignment items to be displayed at any one time.

There was concern expressed during the technical review committee meeting (the committee meets on a separate day prior to the APC meeting) by Scott Tilden, county highway superintendent, about highway visibility with consignment items on display near SR 13. But Dillon said those items typically sell better due to their visibility and he has been doing this for several years with no problems. APC members Mike Kissinger and Bob Sanders said they don’t see any safety issues created by having the items on display.

A private drainage tile not maintained by the county is on the property but Dillon is aware of it and is willing to make adjustments as needed. The county commissioners will now consider both petitions at their Tuesday, March 21, meeting.

In other business, Indianapolis-based American Structurepoint gave a presentation on the update of the comprehensive plan for the town of Syracuse. The town is updating a roughly 11 year old plan.

It was determined priorities of the plan include the town wanting to see more detailed development standards, increased economic activity and more housing options. APC member Chuck Haffner, who later abstained from voting on passage of the plan, asked if there have been any public meetings about the comprehensive plan.

No public meetings have been held, but the public was invited to participate in an online survey and there were also meetings held with focus groups such as chamber of commerce members, the town council and others.

The APC gave a favorable recommendation to forward the plan to the Syracuse Town Council, who will consider adoption at the March 21 council meeting.

Also on the agenda, the APC recommended approval of a 10-foot strip of EMS R4C Lane off the east side of Ridinger Lake being vacated. Vacating the strip would eliminate an existing encroachment of a home into the right of way. The road would be 50 feet wide instead of 60 feet.

After discussion, it was decided to vacate up to an existing fence and not to the road surface on the south end of the strip. The commissioners will consider the vacation at their March 21 meeting.

The APC also approved a 90-day extension of a bond for the development of five lots in phase two of the Candlewood Estates housing subdivision in Wayne Township. Development is not finished and the bond is set to expire in April.

But the extension may eventually not be needed because the developer, Terry Shepherd, said he plans to re-plat the five lots into only three. If he submits a re-plat and it is approved, a new bond would need to be issued anyway.