Dear Editor,

There are some residents in our county who are not even aware of the current land use conflict. Why are the farmers so upset with spot zoning? This is just a fight between farmers and progress, right? Nothing like that could happen where I live — or could it?

There is a section of land between CR 450N and 350N and 100E and 175E that contains 320 acres of land that is zoned for agriculture. There are transmission lines running through the properties, and it is close to Big Chapman Lake. The agricultural zoned parcels are in the middle of subdivisions. If a substation was built there, could a smaller version of the hyper-scale data center move in? Should this land be spot zoned for heavy industrial?

I highly doubt the Area Plan Commission or the commissioners would spot zone heavy industrial in this section for “the betterment of the whole.” None of our officials would want to sacrifice the quality of life for the lake residents or the subdivisions. A data center in that location would lower their property values and upset their peace and quiet. It just wouldn’t be right. Why is it fair or just to submit the residents of our rural community to this fate for the “betterment of the whole”?

Are all Kosciusko County residents of equal importance? Should all residents receive equal protection and consideration? How is it right to discriminate against rural and farm families?

I think we need to add a new definition to Article 9 of the ordinance: “Residents: The families of the community, including farm, rural and Amish homeowners, and their children and grandchildren, shall be considered residents of Kosciusko County. They shall be treated equally and justly, and their rights shall be protected in like manner as all residents throughout Kosciusko County.”

Will our commissioners give in to Prologis, a California-based real estate trust, or to the residents of Kosciusko County and protect the lands that provide the food, fuel and sustenance for our everyday lives? I urge the commissioners to consider the constitutional rights of all residents. If you do, you will follow the Area Plan Commission’s recommendation and vote against rezoning prime farmland.

Robby Kelly