Board members Mike Kissinger, left and Lee Harman discuss a case at Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday, Sept. 6. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A final plat, a preliminary plat and a two rezonings were given favorable recommendations at the Wednesday, Sept. 6 Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting.

Brett Harter’s petition to rezone a 6.22 acre tract of ground from an agricultural district to an agricultural II district was granted. The property is located on the south side of CR 500 North, just west of Sullivan Road near the North Webster-Oswego area in Tippecanoe Township.

Harter wants to build a two-lot subdivision for his son and daughter to build a house on each lot. They will have a shared driveway off Armstrong Road.

The board gave its favorable recommendation in the case, which will now be heard at the 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 county commissioners meeting.

Kenneth Showalter’s petition to rezone 23 acres from an agricultural district to a commercial district on the property, located on the west side of SR 15, just north of CR 400 North in Plain Township, was given a favorable recommendation by the APC.

Jeff Owens, a real estate broker who represents the seller who lives in California, said the property is for sale. Owens said about 10,000 vehicles a day go past the property. On Fridays, the count is close to 14,000 vehicles a day.

He said properties close to Showalter’s are zoned industrial and commercial. The county will reap the benefits of commercial tax dollars. The property is 23 acres.

The property is currently assessed at $1,900 an acre, and with the rezoning, the reassessment of commercial property could be as much as $76,000 per acre.

“It’s a win-win to rezone to commercial,” said board member Mike Long.

The case will now be heard by county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Kyle Coleman’s petition for preliminary plat approval for a residential development of a five-lot subdivision on a 7.53 acre tract of land, was granted. The property is located on the north side of McKenna Road and 200 feet east of EMS B38 Lane in Tippecanoe Township and includes two separate driveways.

“I think it’s a good plan,” said Bob Conley, board member. “I think two driveways are safer.”

In other business, the board approved a vacation of a property, located near Hoffman Lake Estates, Warsaw, owned by Tim Blackford. The matter will go before the county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26.

The board had a brief discussion regarding cargo boxes. A copy of the new ordinance for cargo box usage and placement was handed to each APC member to review; however, the board did not vote on nor approve the proposed ordinance.

In other news, the APC:

• Approved a final plat for property, located near CR 300N and CR 175 East, Warsaw. It is a two-lot subdivision in an agriculture II district owned by Tim Postima of Warsaw.

• A plat in Deed’s Creek Manor, Warsaw, was approved for Barrett McManus. He petitioned for the preliminary plat approval for the replat of one lot in Deeds Creek Manor. The property is located on the west side of Old Orchard Drive, east of Timberline Circle in Wayne Township. He “diligently” worked to contact all surrounding property owners except one couple, David and Nancy Wilson, said APC Director Matt Sandy.

The next meeting is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the county courthouse in Warsaw.