Jon Garber, left, and Doug Ruch of the area planning commission talk just prior to the monthly meeting.

WARSAW — A tract of ground less than 1 acre in size in North Webster, if combined with another commercial property, would be more marketable. During the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission Wednesday, Nov. 1, in Warsaw, the APC recommended approval to rezone that property.

The tract is .84 acres in size and is located on the south side of Himes Street at the intersection with Linda Lane in North Webster. It sits behind Lucky’s Tavern, which is located on SR 13.

Steve Snyder, an attorney representing the petitioner Richard White, said the White family owns the land and also an adjacent commercial property. Combining the two commercial properties would make the property more marketable, he noted. Snyder said if the property is rezoned, the main access would likely be off SR 13 and possibly rear access would be off Himes Street.

There are no specific plans for the property at this time. North Webster’s town council will consider the petition at its Tuesday, Nov. 21, meeting.

In other business, the planning commission recommended approval for Stephen Ellis to rezone .97 acres from agricultural to residential on Crystal Lake Road, east of CR 400W in Wayne Township. His family also owns an adjacent 38-acre tract on which the number of sell-offs permitted by county ordinance have been exhausted.

Ellis said he wants his home to be on a separate, smaller tract of ground than the 38 acres. The other roughly 37 acres will continue to be farmed, he noted.

There was some discussion about rezoning to residential, but it was later decided to add an agricultural disclaimer to the plat so Ellis understands he is not allowed to have any livestock on the .97 acres.

The only other agenda item was the APC approving a final plat for George Buckingham for a three-lot residential subdivision on Forest Glen Road in Plain Township. As a condition for approval, a $22,500 surety bond was included to insure drainage improvements are completed along the county road right of way and also to set the pins marking the drainage work.