Members of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission review video footage of a property during the meeting held on Dec. 2. (Photos by Maggie Kenworthy)

By Maggie Kenworthy
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO — The property formally known as South Shore Golf Club in Syracuse was approved for two different rezoning requests during the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting held today, Dec. 2.

The first request was made by Polk Equipment and DP&P Investments on behalf of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation. This request was to rezone around 20 acres of land on the south side of the property to a residential district.

The 20-acre portion of what was formerly South Shore Golf Club that was approved for residential rezoning is outlined in dark blue. The former clubhouse area, which was approved for commercial rezoning, is pictured in the upper-right hand corner.

Steve Snyder, representing the petitioners, explained that the full parcel of land, except for the area which houses the former clubhouse and restaurant, was originally petitioned for rezoning. But, since the site plans have yet to be created, it was decided that for now, only the 20 acres would be rezoned. Snyder considered it premature to rezone everything at once. 

The ultimate plan is for the majority of the land to be used for single-family homes, with the possibility of some of the land being used for multi-family residential units or commercial properties.

“The next best use, next to a golf course … is going to be residential. We know, according to the surveys that have been done in this county, the demand for a residential housing area is high, especially if you’re looking at a mixed level of residential housing,” said Snyder. “We need to fill the housing needs of the increased number of employees we are managing to attract to this county and this is one of the most logical places to accomplish that.”

The board expressed concerns about only rezoning a portion of the property and the fact that the proposed land is not directly adjacent to SR 13 and would not have an access point. Snyder explained that since his petitioners owned the whole property in question, an access point would be made to SR 13. The exact number of access roads and placement would be dependent on a future traffic study by the Indiana Department of Transportation.

There were three letters of opposition sent to the board. The main concern was that the kind of housing that would be placed on the land was not specified. Snyder stated that the majority would be single-family homes with the option for multi-family apartment units. He did specifically note that there is no plan for the land to be used for a mobile home park.

The board approved this rezoning request, with board member Mike Kissinger in opposition.

Next, the board heard a rezoning request made by South Shore Ventures. This request is regarding the area of the former golf course that holds the clubhouse, the restaurant and another building. The request was to rezone the property to a commercial district.

One of the partners of South Shore Ventures told the board that the intention is to reopen the property as a new restaurant. The plan was to create a “fun restaurant to come and hang out with your families”.

The board unanimously approved this request.

Both of these recommendations will go before the Kosciusko County Board of Commissioners during the next meeting at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22.

In other news:

• Joseph Bontrager petitioned to rezone 7.28 acres from a residential district to an agricultural district. The property is located on the south side of CR 1300N, east of Old SR 15 in Milford. Bontrager told the board he wished to have a few animals, including a horse on his property. The board denied the request and suggested that Bontrager seek Board of Zoning Appeals approval so that the number and kind of animals could be specified.
• Scott Kuhn was approved to rezone the former North Webster Day Care, 111 S. Harrison St., North Webster, from a public use and residential district to a commercial district. Kuhn plans to move his business, Tangibles Resale & Consignment, into the former daycare building.
• Brent and Brenda Byers received preliminary plat approval for a residential development on the south side of Elaine Drive in Candlewood Estates, Warsaw. The intent is for the land to be used as a common area for residents.
• The board voted to vacate a public right-of-way located at the end of Rosella Street on Ogden Island in Syracuse. This portion of the street is currently located inside a residence gate and is not used by anyone but the petitioner.
• The board granted final plat approval for a 2-lot subdivision located at 1314 North CR 750W, Nappanee. The approval is contingent upon clearance by the auditor’s office.