At the Pierceton Town Council meeting on Monday, April 10, are from left: Council President Matt Brubaker, Member Tom Barker and Vice President Janet Castle.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — The Pierceton Town Council is open to allowing chickens at Pierceton Woods Academy.

The issue was discussed at the council’s meeting on Monday, April 10, in the Pierceton Community Building. Last month Pierceton Woods Vocational Director Bob Jones and Vocational Instructor Matt Trier asked if some of the birds might be kept at the private boys’ school on the edge of Pierceton to teach the kids about raising livestock.

The council had asked the two men to come back this month so members would have more time to consider the issue.

Also present at Monday’s meeting was Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy. The council asked him to weigh in regarding the issue.

As Pierceton had agreed to fall under the commission awhile back, it has to follow its rules for zoning. Thus farm animals cannot be kept unless they are in an area zoned agricultural.

Sandy and Council President Matt Brubaker noted Pierceton Woods is zoned agricultural, but with a stipulation that no farm animals are allowed. To allow chickens, the school has to obtain a variance through the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Sandy said the BZA would want Pierceton’s input in its decision.

The council agreed to communicate more about setting rules with Pierceton Woods regarding keeping the birds before the school could request the variance from the BZA.

In other business, the council:

• Approved tax abatement renewals for Paragon Medical and OMCO for equipment there.
• Saw the Pierceton Lions Club donate $1,500 for Pierceton Parks. The club is working to divvy out its assets as it’s shutting down due to a decline in membership.
• Approved purchasing additional security camera equipment for Pierceton-Washington Township Park.
• Approved at the recommendation of the Kosciusko County APC rezoning a few acres near Dollar General from residential to commercial at the request of LexLil.

The council’s next meeting is 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 8, at the community building.

Pierceton Park Board Secretary Annie Espinoza, left, accepts a $1,500 donation for the town’s parks from Jack Phillips of the Pierceton Lions Club at the meeting.