Rick and Patricia Marlow own 20 acres of land near Dewart Lake in Turkey Creek Township and want to set aside 5 acres of it for their daughter to use. They petitioned the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission to rezone the land during the APC’s regular monthly meeting Wednesday, June 3, in Warsaw.

More specifically, the Marlow property is on the south side of CR 950N, east of CR 500E. Patty Marlow said she and her husband have fenced in acreage with horses and barns and their daughter, a single school teacher, wants to have part of their property to build a house and barns on, along with a place to have horses and other animals.

Dan Richard, area planning director, noted the number of sell-offs allowed by county ordinance for the property has been exhausted, thus requiring the property to be rezoned from agricultural to agricultural II. The 5 acres is on the south end of the property.

The APC recommended approval of the rezoning petition and it will be considered by the county commissioners Tuesday, June 16.

In other business, the APC approved a declaratory resolution for the Trupointe tax increment financing district near Milford to expand. Chad Miner, county attorney, noted the purpose of the TIF district expansion is because it is anticipated some additional improvements, such as to the roads, would be made. Essentially the TIF district would expand to the east to the town limits of Syracuse and would be bordered by CR 1300N on the south, and CR 1400N to the north.

Richard noted other improvements could include rail spurs and extension of sewer lines. He said the resolution is consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan. Before the resolution is finalized, it still must be approved by the county council and county commissioners.

Also on the agenda, the APC recommended approval for a rezoning petition for Greg Mitchell to rezone a 34.9 acre tract of ground from agricultural to residential on the east side of CR 225E, south of CR 75N in Wayne Township near the Warsaw city limits.

Mitchell said it is an opportune time to develop the property residentially as there are other nearby subdivisions and the city has been growing in that direction. The city may decide to annex the property eventually.

A few remonstrators, though, who were against the petition said they want to keep the land zoned agricultural and they also have concerns about water drainage. One remonstrator noted there is a wooded area nearby families like to take walks in and there is a concern several trees would be removed. Another concern is the increase in road traffic if more houses are built.

Dick Kemper, a member of the APC, said the city has been growing and anticipating the growth. He noted all of the subdivisions in the area were started in the same way and concerns were likely expressed by nearby property owners at the time they were built.

He added water drainage will be addressed in detail as part of the subdivision plat. County commissioners will consider the petition at their June 16 meeting.

In other business, the APC tabled a right of way vacation petition by Annette Newland until the July 1 meeting. Newland was not present at the meeting. The vacation involves property off Rozella Road, southwest of Warsaw Community High School in the Shady Crest addition.