WARSAW — A small, three-lot subdivision off the south side of Lake Tippecanoe in Plain Township had been stalled due to problems with placement of the septic system. The preliminary plat for the subdivision, on the south side of Forest Glen Road, west of Teeple Avenue, had expired.

But the process is moving forward again. Petitioner George Buckingham requested an additional .31 acres be added during the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission Wednesday afternoon, June 7, in Warsaw. The land would be rezoned from agricultural to residential and simply be added to the original plat.

Buckingham said what prompted him to petition for a subdivision was a request from three of his neighbors for more land.

The APC recommended approval for the rezoning and it will now be considered by the county commissioners at their Tuesday, June 27, meeting.

In other business, the APC recommended approval for Mike and Karen Grady to rezone 8.1 acres from agricultural to agricultural II on Syracuse-Webster Road, west of CR 700E in Turkey Creek Township. This tract was previously part of a larger tract of ground, but all the allowed sell-offs were exhausted.

Mike Grady said he wants to create two lots, one of which already has his house on it and the other would be used for his son to build a house. He has agreed no more than two lots will be created. The county commissioners will also consider this petition at their June 27 meeting.

Also on the agenda, the APC approved a preliminary plat to re-plat phase two of the Candlewood Estates subdivision in Wayne Township. This petition was continued from the April meeting (the APC did not meet in May) when a point of contention was a 20-foot emergency access easement.

At the April meeting, the APC voted 4-2 to approve the plat without the easement, but since it is a nine-member board five votes are needed either way. There was more discussion about the easement and Doug Ruch and Kevin McSherry of the APC, both of whom are firefighters, said they would feel better if some type of access for emergency vehicles was left open. Otherwise, McSherry noted, it could mean a fence would need to be broken down for firefighters to get proper access.

After discussion, it was noted there would already be a utility easement in the same location so this time unanimous approval was given. Fences cannot be built on utility easements.

The APC also heard a development proposal from Ben Plikerd of Brook Pointe Inn just outside of Syracuse. He noted the inn does not want to become landlocked and he is aware of a parcel of land to the west along Syracuse-Webster Road, south of Wawasee High School, that will eventually be placed on the selling market. There is currently an abandoned home on the property.

Plikerd said Brook Pointe would like to purchase the land when it becomes available and either move an existing maintenance barn to the land or build a new barn. He noted this would allow for more expansion on the property currently owned by Brook Pointe.

The APC did not vote on the proposal because it was not an advertised public hearing. Plikerd said he wanted to make the planning commission aware of his plans.

There was also a brief time to recognize the contributions of Bob Sanders, who served on the planning commission before passing away in May. Lee Harman, chairman of the APC, said Sanders “brought a wonderful background to his work with us.”