APC Recommends Zoning Changes For Solar Panel Business
February 7, 2019 at 6:02 p.m.
By Mark [email protected]
Brian Burkholder, owner of Solar Energy Systems, approached the APC about allowing business vehicles to be parked at the property outside overnight and installing an 8-foot security fence to house the vehicles and for outdoor storage. He also would like to add a structure and landscaping to help the curb appeal and prevent vehicles from arriving and leaving onto Ind. 19.
The business is on the southwest corner of Ind. 19 and CR 1350N south of Nappanee.
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Steve Snyder, Burkholder’s attorney, said plans for landscaping are already underway. He added that it’s far too common for people to park behind the building and “party,” or leave vehicles on the lot over the weekend.
The fenced-in area would be along the south and west sides of the existing building. Parking vehicles outside would create additional space for storing solar panels and related products inside the building.
The new structure would be a solar panel array along the south side of the property. The goal of the business is to remain off the electrical grid, and the new panels would not only demonstrate the product, but provide additional power for the growing business, he said.
Landscaping would include green space and the planting of trees and grasses that can withstand snow being plowed onto the property.
Burkholder said he hopes with fencing that the trespassers wouldn’t come around anymore. He said putting a gate on the entry, off of CR 1350N, would be a last resort.
Snyder said the landscaping would help present Nappanee in a positive light. “From the south, the area is a gateway to the town, and Brian wants that first impression to be a good one,” he said.
Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins spoke in favor of the changes, saying the gateway works both ways: for southbound traffic on Ind. 19, the business would give a good first impression of Kosciusko County.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend to the county commissioners that the ordinance to change the zoning is approved.
In other business the APC will recommend the county commissioners approve the following:
• A zoning change on a 5-acre lot on CR 1350N and west of Ind. 19, owned by Mark Hochstetler, be rezoned from residential to agricultural. The change would allow a permit for a barn on the property.
• A preliminary plat to allow Jason and Vera Schwartz to build a home on subdivided land, provided the plat isn’t further divided.
• Rezone a lot owned by Brian Erne on CR 450N at the intersection with EMS B40 Lane. Erne said he plans to clean up the property and agreed to conditions prohibiting the placement of a mobile home or a pole barn on the property.
• A preliminary plat to subdivide ground into two home sites on the east side of Country Club Road and west of Old Ditch Road in Wayne Township.
Commissioners also chose officers for 2019. Lee Harman will serve as chairman, Kevin McSherry as vice chairman and Mike Kissinger as secretary.
All petitions approved for recommendation will come before the county commission at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 19.
The next APC meeting will be at 1 p.m. March 6 at the county courthouse.
Brian Burkholder, owner of Solar Energy Systems, approached the APC about allowing business vehicles to be parked at the property outside overnight and installing an 8-foot security fence to house the vehicles and for outdoor storage. He also would like to add a structure and landscaping to help the curb appeal and prevent vehicles from arriving and leaving onto Ind. 19.
The business is on the southwest corner of Ind. 19 and CR 1350N south of Nappanee.
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Steve Snyder, Burkholder’s attorney, said plans for landscaping are already underway. He added that it’s far too common for people to park behind the building and “party,” or leave vehicles on the lot over the weekend.
The fenced-in area would be along the south and west sides of the existing building. Parking vehicles outside would create additional space for storing solar panels and related products inside the building.
The new structure would be a solar panel array along the south side of the property. The goal of the business is to remain off the electrical grid, and the new panels would not only demonstrate the product, but provide additional power for the growing business, he said.
Landscaping would include green space and the planting of trees and grasses that can withstand snow being plowed onto the property.
Burkholder said he hopes with fencing that the trespassers wouldn’t come around anymore. He said putting a gate on the entry, off of CR 1350N, would be a last resort.
Snyder said the landscaping would help present Nappanee in a positive light. “From the south, the area is a gateway to the town, and Brian wants that first impression to be a good one,” he said.
Nappanee Mayor Phil Jenkins spoke in favor of the changes, saying the gateway works both ways: for southbound traffic on Ind. 19, the business would give a good first impression of Kosciusko County.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend to the county commissioners that the ordinance to change the zoning is approved.
In other business the APC will recommend the county commissioners approve the following:
• A zoning change on a 5-acre lot on CR 1350N and west of Ind. 19, owned by Mark Hochstetler, be rezoned from residential to agricultural. The change would allow a permit for a barn on the property.
• A preliminary plat to allow Jason and Vera Schwartz to build a home on subdivided land, provided the plat isn’t further divided.
• Rezone a lot owned by Brian Erne on CR 450N at the intersection with EMS B40 Lane. Erne said he plans to clean up the property and agreed to conditions prohibiting the placement of a mobile home or a pole barn on the property.
• A preliminary plat to subdivide ground into two home sites on the east side of Country Club Road and west of Old Ditch Road in Wayne Township.
Commissioners also chose officers for 2019. Lee Harman will serve as chairman, Kevin McSherry as vice chairman and Mike Kissinger as secretary.
All petitions approved for recommendation will come before the county commission at 9:15 a.m. Feb. 19.
The next APC meeting will be at 1 p.m. March 6 at the county courthouse.
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