Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission heard several cases Wednesday, June 5. From left are APC board members Matt Goodnight, Bob Conley and Casey Boggs. InkFree News photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A discussion on the proposed, amended cargo box ordinance took place at the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday, June 5.

The ordinance was discussed at a recent Kosciusko County commissioners’ meeting. A few points were brought up at that meeting. Aesthetics and cargo containers on residential properties were two of the issues.

The ordinance regarding cargo containers was tabled Tuesday, May 21, by the Kosciusko County Commissioners for further review by the APC, after the commissioners and attorney Steve Snyder expressed some concerns about it.

As for appearance, APC Director Matt Sandy showed some examples of some cargo boxes that had graffiti on them, some had names or letters on them, while others were different colors.

The colors of the containers would have to be consistent to the colors of the buildings they are attached to, according to the ordinance. APC suggested neutral colors; however, neutral colors differ from person to person.

Commissioner Brad Jackson wanted the ordinance to state that any previous lettering on the container should be covered over.

The other issue was cargo containers on residential properties. The ordinance only applies to commercial, industrial or agricultural properties, not agricultural 2 or residential ones.

However, Snyder wanted an exception use in residential and agricultural 2 use districts, leaving the determination to the BZA. He suggested the containers be allowed to be used temporarily by all owners of a residence in any zoning district.

This would be the case during a remodeling or construction of a home.

On temporary containers, the ordinance states that they may be used for relocation to or from a property in a residential zone.

Commissioner and APC board member Bob Conley said he was concerned about companies or people advertising on the containers for other companies or people. Heltzel said that would be restricted under the county’s sign ordinance.

APC board members made a motion to favorably recommend the revised ordinance and send it back to commissioners for their final decision.

A continuance of a case for a petition to rezone 11.17 acres from an agricultural district to an agricultural 2 district was tabled until the July 3 meeting.

The property is located on the north side of CR 1100 North, 212 feet west of SR 19 in Scott Township.

Two main items are zoning and sewage. Snyder, the petitioner’s attorney, said a design for a septic system is being conducted, as is the soil scientist’s report. They have 30 days to get these tasks accomplished.

Timothy McCreary’s petition to rezone ground from a residential district to an agricultural district was approved.

The property is located on the south side of Mock Road, east of CR 100E in Milford in Van Buren Township.

The matter will now go before the county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 18.

Cynthia Wiese’s petition to rezone a lot from a commercial district to a residential district was given a favorable recommendation.

The property is located on the south side of Main Street, west of Harrison Street in Atwood in Harrison Township.

Wiese’s case will go before the county commissioners at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 18.

A final plat for Morgedy’s in North Webster was approved. The property is located at the intersection of CR 400N and SR 13 in North Webster.

The next APC meeting is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 3.