Commissioners Deny Milford Industrial Zoning Request
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Tim [email protected]
The rezoning has been the subject of debate between representatives of land owner Harlan Beer and residents with houses very close to the site. At plan commission meetings Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, residents voiced their concerns that heavy industrial development in the area would endanger the health and quality of life of area residents as well as damage property values.[[In-content Ad]]On Dec. 5, the Area Plan Commission voted to send a recommendation that the commissioners deny the request. Friday, attorney Steve Snyder, representing Beer, told the commissioners he thinks the plan commission's recommendation was a mistake.
"Our plan commission is charged with doing two things - planning and zoning," Snyder said. "I think they've done zoning in this case, but they haven't done any planning."
Snyder said the land in question is ideal for Industrial III zoning, the least restrictive of all the county's industrial zoning designations. He said the property's access to a railroad, city water and sewer connections and the possibility of direct access to Ind. 15 make the property the perfect site for what he said is the planned development - an industrial park.
Snyder addressed comments made by plan commission members at the Dec. 5 meeting that a mixed zoning of Industrial I, II and III would be preferable. He said mixed zoning would make the land less attractive to development lenders and businesses considering locating there.
"You've got to make this development attractive in order to make it sellable," Snyder said. "Now, we're saying we can't develop it because of two houses in the area. There is a greater good that has to be examined. Additional jobs and additional growth are crucial."
Last year, an attempt to build an ethanol plant on the site was defeated after public outcry. Snyder said he thinks area residents suspect the rezoning is another attempt to build an ethanol plant.
"This is not an attempt to get an ethanol plant," Snyder said. "We don't need Industrial III for an ethanol plant."
More than 20 area residents attended Friday's meeting to oppose the rezoning request. Tina Fraley told the commissioners she is opposed to Industrial III development and also opposes development allowed by the Industrial II designation.
"It's not just a matter of industrial growth," Fraley said. "It's a matter of protecting the residents and the value of their property. The land may be prime for Industrial III development, but not with residential properties nearby."
Bill Appenzeller lives on property bordered on three sides by Beer's property. Appenzeller said since there is no way to know what type of industry may locate on the property, the county should be careful about what types of development the zoning of the land allows.
"I'm not against an industrial park, but we really need to know what type of industry," Appenzeller said.
Teresa Brito lives on property bordering Beer's. Brito told the board the type of open-air industries allowed by Industrial III zoning would be harmful to the health of her children. Brito said she knows industrial development is needed in the county, but asked the commissioners not to allow heavy industry near her home.
"I'm begging you, I guess, and pleading that you will not go with Industrial III," Brito told the commissioners. "Please hear our plea."
The commissioners said they would be open to consider a mixed zoning scheme for the land, but voted unanimously to follow the plan commission's recommendation to deny the request to zone the whole property Industrial III.
In other planning news, the commissioners unanimously approved a request from land owner David Tyler to rezone two properties to Agriculture II zones. One of Tyler's properties, both of which are located on the north side of Armstrong Road in Tippecanoe and Plain townships, is currently zoned residential and one is zoned agricultural. The properties are adjoining and, together, measure 130 acres.
Tyler said he plans to divide the land into 14 large lots for residential development with the option of mini-farms. The property borders the south shore of Stanton Lake. Tyler said he is seeking the Ag-II zoning in order to protect the environment of the area which includes wetlands. Ag-II zones include more restrictions than the current Ag-I zoning, but still allow limited ownership of livestock.
Sally Sparlin, a member of the Stanton Lake Property Owners Association, said she the association is in favor of Tyler's request, but has concerns about the extension of Lakeview Trail.
Commissioner Brad Jackson said the commissioners have no authority over the road extension. Tyler said he is willing to talk with the property owners about their concerns.
In other news:
n The commissioners approved a motion to administrate almost $173,000 in federal and state grant money for training for firefighters in emergency management District II. At a Dec. 11 meeting, the commissioners tabled the decision until the details could be worked out between state and district fire officials and the Kosciusko County auditor's office.
n The commissioners denied a request from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for the county to use grant money to hire a District II emergency planning administrator. Grant money will only fund the position for 18 months, and Jackson said he was not comfortable with the idea that the county may end up with the responsibility to take on the continued support of the position when grant funding expired. The commissioners voted unanimously to deny the request.
The rezoning has been the subject of debate between representatives of land owner Harlan Beer and residents with houses very close to the site. At plan commission meetings Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, residents voiced their concerns that heavy industrial development in the area would endanger the health and quality of life of area residents as well as damage property values.[[In-content Ad]]On Dec. 5, the Area Plan Commission voted to send a recommendation that the commissioners deny the request. Friday, attorney Steve Snyder, representing Beer, told the commissioners he thinks the plan commission's recommendation was a mistake.
"Our plan commission is charged with doing two things - planning and zoning," Snyder said. "I think they've done zoning in this case, but they haven't done any planning."
Snyder said the land in question is ideal for Industrial III zoning, the least restrictive of all the county's industrial zoning designations. He said the property's access to a railroad, city water and sewer connections and the possibility of direct access to Ind. 15 make the property the perfect site for what he said is the planned development - an industrial park.
Snyder addressed comments made by plan commission members at the Dec. 5 meeting that a mixed zoning of Industrial I, II and III would be preferable. He said mixed zoning would make the land less attractive to development lenders and businesses considering locating there.
"You've got to make this development attractive in order to make it sellable," Snyder said. "Now, we're saying we can't develop it because of two houses in the area. There is a greater good that has to be examined. Additional jobs and additional growth are crucial."
Last year, an attempt to build an ethanol plant on the site was defeated after public outcry. Snyder said he thinks area residents suspect the rezoning is another attempt to build an ethanol plant.
"This is not an attempt to get an ethanol plant," Snyder said. "We don't need Industrial III for an ethanol plant."
More than 20 area residents attended Friday's meeting to oppose the rezoning request. Tina Fraley told the commissioners she is opposed to Industrial III development and also opposes development allowed by the Industrial II designation.
"It's not just a matter of industrial growth," Fraley said. "It's a matter of protecting the residents and the value of their property. The land may be prime for Industrial III development, but not with residential properties nearby."
Bill Appenzeller lives on property bordered on three sides by Beer's property. Appenzeller said since there is no way to know what type of industry may locate on the property, the county should be careful about what types of development the zoning of the land allows.
"I'm not against an industrial park, but we really need to know what type of industry," Appenzeller said.
Teresa Brito lives on property bordering Beer's. Brito told the board the type of open-air industries allowed by Industrial III zoning would be harmful to the health of her children. Brito said she knows industrial development is needed in the county, but asked the commissioners not to allow heavy industry near her home.
"I'm begging you, I guess, and pleading that you will not go with Industrial III," Brito told the commissioners. "Please hear our plea."
The commissioners said they would be open to consider a mixed zoning scheme for the land, but voted unanimously to follow the plan commission's recommendation to deny the request to zone the whole property Industrial III.
In other planning news, the commissioners unanimously approved a request from land owner David Tyler to rezone two properties to Agriculture II zones. One of Tyler's properties, both of which are located on the north side of Armstrong Road in Tippecanoe and Plain townships, is currently zoned residential and one is zoned agricultural. The properties are adjoining and, together, measure 130 acres.
Tyler said he plans to divide the land into 14 large lots for residential development with the option of mini-farms. The property borders the south shore of Stanton Lake. Tyler said he is seeking the Ag-II zoning in order to protect the environment of the area which includes wetlands. Ag-II zones include more restrictions than the current Ag-I zoning, but still allow limited ownership of livestock.
Sally Sparlin, a member of the Stanton Lake Property Owners Association, said she the association is in favor of Tyler's request, but has concerns about the extension of Lakeview Trail.
Commissioner Brad Jackson said the commissioners have no authority over the road extension. Tyler said he is willing to talk with the property owners about their concerns.
In other news:
n The commissioners approved a motion to administrate almost $173,000 in federal and state grant money for training for firefighters in emergency management District II. At a Dec. 11 meeting, the commissioners tabled the decision until the details could be worked out between state and district fire officials and the Kosciusko County auditor's office.
n The commissioners denied a request from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security for the county to use grant money to hire a District II emergency planning administrator. Grant money will only fund the position for 18 months, and Jackson said he was not comfortable with the idea that the county may end up with the responsibility to take on the continued support of the position when grant funding expired. The commissioners voted unanimously to deny the request.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092