Planning Commission Tables Plat Request
Because of confusion, Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission ended up tabling a preliminary plat request by Nifong Farms Holding during its regular monthly meeting Wednesday in Warsaw.
Nifong Farms petitioned for 8.915 acres to be platted as an agricultural II subdivision on CR 875 West in Etna Township. The APC had considered rezoning the same land during its May meeting and the rezoning was later approved by the county commissioners. But Dan Richard, area planning director, noted the deed has not been recorded yet and, until that happens, the rezoning is not officially approved.
Richard noted there is confusion concerning what Steve Nifong had agreed to during the May APC meeting. During that meeting, the planning commission thought Nifong had agreed to have six contiguous tracts to the east of the 8.915 acre tract combined along with one more tract to the west. But apparently Nifong, who was accompanied by Bob Sanders at yesterday’s meeting, only wants to have three tracts to the east of the 8.915 acres combined.
After discussing different options, the APC ultimately voted to table the plat until the deed has been properly recorded and the confusion cleared up, and also so Nifong would not have to pay the fees to reapply for another rezoning and essentially go through the process again.
Also on the agenda, the APC recommended approval for a petition by George Buckingham to rezone approximately 2.21 acres of land from agricultural to residential on Forest Glenn Avenue, east of Cripplegate in Plain Township near Stanton Lake. Buckingham said three property owners to the north of the property would each like to buy a small portion of the 2.21 acres. “The next step would be a three-lot subdivision,” Buckingham said.
Richard said the technical committee reviewed the rezoning request and does have concerns about the topography of the land. “It will present some unique physical challenges,” he said, for drainage and installing septic tanks.
Will Shroyer lives nearby and said he does not object to the rezoning, but he and others have experienced major water runoff problems during heavy rains and he wants that taken into consideration when the subdivision is developed. Dick Kemper, APC member and also the county surveyor, said the development can be designed so it won’t add to the runoff problem, but it won’t fix the problem.
County commissioners will consider the rezoning request at their June 17 meeting.
In other business, APC member James Moyer gave a presentation concerning a request for the county to start charging fees for building permits. Kosciusko County presently does not charge for building permits to be issued. Moyer said the county is having financial difficulties and he is simply trying to help the county cover normal operating costs. “This would not fund a building inspector for the county,” he emphasized.
Whether a flat rate fee will be charged or it will be based on the size of the building will be determined later. Matt Sandy, assistant planning director for the county, will gather information on what surrounding counties charge for building permits and provide the information at a future APC meeting. No vote will be taken until a public hearing is held.
APC meetings are held at 1 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month in the commissioners room of the county courthouse in Warsaw. Meetings are open to the public.