The election of 2024 officers took place at the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday, Jan. 3. Shown from left are Mike Kissinger, secretary; Kevin McSherry, vice president; and Lee Harman, chairman. All three men retained the same offices they had in 2023. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Last year was a record year for commercial building permits in the county, the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission heard at its short meeting Wednesday, Jan. 3.

There were 57 commercial building permits issued and 13 industrial permits issued in 2023. APC Director Matt Sandy said while he is not exactly sure why the number is so high other than “we had a lot of commercial additions, such as adding onto a warehouse and other expansion projects.”

He said this is the highest number of commercial building permits since 1997 when there were 51 commercial building permits issued and 33 industrial permits.

“It is up and it is good to see,” said Sandy.

In other news, Sandy said the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission hired a consultant to do a study on the CR 1300N project near Milford.

The commission approved the hiring of a civil engineering firm this week to work on creating a strategic plan for the CR 1300N corridor project.

Sandy said there have been discussion abut expanding the project to the CR 17 extension to the west.

“They want to get ahead of the game,” said Sandy. “This is a micro comprehensive plan. Once they have a plan, we can adopt that.”

In other matters, Ronald Casebeer’s petition was tabled. He petitioned for a preliminary plat for an agricultural II development on a tract of ground.

The property is located on the east side of CR 875 West and south of CR 200N in Etna Township.

The case is continued to Wednesday, Feb. 7, in order to do more precise soil sample testing. The report was not clear as to the exact location of the soil samples.

Borkholder Estates’ petition for preliminary plat approval for a two- lot, agriculture II development on a five-acre tract of ground was approved. The property is located on the east side of CR 150E, Warsaw, in Plain Township.

A final plat for Harvest Point was approved. The property is located near CR 500N and Armstrong Road. It is a two-lot agriculture II subdivision.

The election of officers for 2024 also took place. The chairman is Lee Harman, Mike Kissinger is secretary, and Kevin McSherry is vice president.

The board is seeking a board member for Pierceton to replace Janet Castle. Contact Sandy if interested.

The next meeting is at 1 p.m. Feb. 7, in the county courthouse in Warsaw.