KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Where will the water go? Drainage is one of the most common concerns expressed by nearby property owners when a residential or commercial development is proposed.

During the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 7, in Warsaw, water drainage was a major concern of remonstrators for two proposed developments south of Nappanee.

Cornerstone Acres petitioned the APC to rezone 29.47 acres from residential to commercial along the south side of CR 1350N abutting SR 19 on the west side in Scott Township. Another petition by Timothy Yoder is literally next to this property to the west, also along the south side of CR 1350N, for rezoning 5 acres from residential to commercial.

Steve Snyder, attorney representing both petitioners, said when Cornerstone Acres bought the property they thought they were actually purchasing land zoned agricultural, but the map was wrong, even though the land is currently being used for agricultural purposes. Solar Energy Systems wants to move an existing business onto the property.

Snyder said solar is a growing business and “will likely continue to grow as the solar collectors increase in efficiency.” It is anticipated there will be an entrance to the business off 1350 North and there will be a building with an office and retail show space, but the building will mostly be used to store inventory. It will involve going to farms and other sites to install solar equipment and then returning to the building at the end of the business day.

He also noted the developer is willing to impose restrictive covenants on the property that would include no exterior storage (only heavy equipment would be stored outside), only one structure on the property, no residential activity, lighting directed downward and the entrance and exit only off 1350 North, among other restrictions.

“The traffic volume at this intersection lends itself to commercial use,” Snyder said.

On the 5 acres the intent is for Yoder to operate an electrical business from the site and the same covenants for the solar development would apply.

A few nearby property owners spoke and shared concerns about water drainage, safety and the potential for increased traffic. There are at least two Amish schools less than two miles away and many school children use 1350 North, as well as SR 19, going to and from school. Also, water drainage has been a problem for a long time.

Mike Kissinger of the APC, also the county surveyor, said his office is aware of the drainage issues and noted there is an old clay tile likely 125 years old that will need to be replaced eventually. He said a drainage plan must be approved before final approval is given for the developments. It was also noted the developer is willing to have a 1-acre concrete retention pond installed, though Dan Richard, area planning director, cautioned with the high water table in the area 1 acre will likely not be nearly enough to retain the water.

The county requires a drainage plan that will not increase the amount of water runoff that existed prior to the development. The APC recommended approval of both developments, with the restrictive covenants attached, and the county commissioners will consider both petitions at their Tuesday, Dec. 20, meeting.

In other business, the APC approved the final plat for a re-plat of one lot and part of another, making one contiguous lot in the Crooked Creek subdivision at Chapman Lake. The lots had to be changed because the subdivision was platted prior to new square footage requirements for homes using septic systems.