Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy, Jon Garber and Doug Ruch listen to the cases presented to the board Wednesday, Dec. 7. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Despite some concerns, a rezoning was given favorable recommendation at the regular meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Ransbottom Family Farm’s petition to rezone property from an agricultural district to a residential district was approved by the board 8-0.

The 20.76-acre property is located on the north side of Stanton Road, east of Teeple Avenue, in Plain Township in Leesburg.

The petitioner’s attorney, Richard Helm, said “everything around it is mostly residential.” He said there will be approximately 45 lots consisting of mostly single-family homes or two-family structures.

However, some remonstrators said they do not want “too much or high density” properties, meaning mobile homes or apartments. Another concern was drainage issues.

“We will require a storm water plan,” said Mike Kissinger, board member. “Storm water will need to go into a retention pond.”

Paulette Davis, who owns 10 acres near the Ransbottom’s property, said she is in favor of the rezoning, just not multi-housing units. She and Kissinger agreed the Ransbottoms have a “good reputation and integrity” and will do the right thing if the project moves forward.

Lee Harman, APC president and board member, added he is concerned with losing so much agricultural land in the county.

“Once it’s gone, it’s gone,” he said.

While the APC gave its approval, the county commissioners will still need to hear the request at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Three final plats were accepted by the board. A request was accepted for a two-lot subdivision on Old US 30 in Etna Green to become a final plat. Paula Walls said it is her father’s property, and she wants to use 1.5-acre and 1.3-acre parcels to be divided for her son and daughter.

A four-lot residential subdivision in Oswego, called Summer Breeze and owned by Wacky Properties, was given the green light by the APC board. A two-lot subdivision on 20 acres southeast of Nappanee was also approved for Ernest Hochstetler.

A drainage review contract fee of $750 was accepted by the board. The previous amount was $500. The county commissioners will hear the case at its Dec. 20 meeting. There were 14 reviews last year by an engineering firm, said Matt Sandy, APC director. The firm has been doing these reviews for the past 17 years and this is the first fee increase.

A discussion on rules of procedures at APC and BZA meetings was discussed but nothing was approved. The matter had to do with any new information being presented at the meetings, but not beforehand, by attorneys or petitioners. The APC will finish discussions in January.

Sandy thanked Mandy Espinoza and Jon Garber for their service, as this year is their last time serving on the APC board.

The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4, at the county courthouse in Warsaw.