Plat Proposal At Chapman Lake Tabled By APC
Much of the time during the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission Nov. 5 in Warsaw was spent discussing a preliminary plat proposal for a somewhat different type of subdivision.
Patrick Higgins, represented at the APC meeting by attorney Steve Snyder, petitioned for an agricultural subdivision on 8.768 acres along the west side of Chapman Lake Drive, less than 500 feet north of Greystone Drive in Plain Township. The subdivision would be different because it would have no residences on lots, but instead only storage facilities.
Snyder said such facilities are needed around lakes so people can store their “lake toys” off their residential properties. He said a 50-foot paved road would not be needed, but instead the proposed plat has a 20-foot wide gravel road.
He stressed there would only be storage facilities on the lots and restrictive covenants would be in place with rules against overnight camping or the use of hazardous materials, among other things. He added the ordinance drainage requirements would be met.
But Dan Richard, area planning director, noted the technical committee reviewing the petition prior to the meeting raised questions about the “mechanics” of the plat. He added he feels since the proposal is somewhat unique it would qualify more as a planned unit development, which would be overseen by the county board of zoning appeals.
Members of the APC and a few remonstrators had questions about the proposal. Jim Moyer of the APC said a PUD would give the county more control over the development and provide a better designed road among other things. Doug Ruch of the APC said the road needs to be wider than 20 feet to accommodate fire trucks for example.
Remonstrators feel the area could become an eyesore without some sort of a barrier to block the view.
Eventually the APC voted to table the petition until it can be placed on the next BZA agenda to be considered as a PUD. Snyder noted his client would be willing to have a barrier put in place.
In other business, the APC recommended to deny a road vacation petition for Allan Clough in the first addition of Brower Estates at Kuhn Lake. It involves a portion of a private drainage and access easement on lot two that would be reduced from 20 to 10 feet wide.
A remonstrator said when the property was purchased, the owner should have known then there was a 20-foot easement on the property. Dick Kemper of the APC said since it is not a public access issue, if the other property owners affected don’t object to the vacation, it should be approved. But some do object it was noted.
The APC voted 5-2 to deny the petition with Bob Conley and Ruch voting against the denial and Larry Coplen abstaining from voting. County commissioners will consider the petition at their Nov. 18 meeting.
Other agenda items included:
• Terry and Margaret Likens were given preliminary plat approval for a one lot residential development on the south side of Backwater Road, east of SR 13 in Tippecanoe Township. It will be connected to North Webster water and sewer service.
• Devon and Laura Hochstetler’s petition for a two lot development on the southwest corner of the intersection of CR 700W and CR 1350N in Jefferson Township was tabled until the Dec. 3 meeting. Not all adjacent property owners were notified of the petition.