Area Plan Considers Zoning Change Regarding Child Care

June 3, 2021 at 9:54 p.m.

By Teresa [email protected]

Area Plan Director Dan Richard presented additions to the zoning ordinance to the county’s plan commission Wednesday allowing child day care services providing non-overnight care, supervision and protection of children in a private residential structure, not occupied by a permanent resident.

Currently, county day care businesses in homes are owner-occupied. The ordinance frees up this restriction allowing businesses to purchase homes in residential districts and operate them as a day care for at least six, and no more than 16, children. No one has to make it their main residence.

The ordinance allows child day care as an exception in all zoned districts. The business must meet all local and state regulations.

A public hearing on the matter will be advertised at the next area planning meeting July 7. The ordinance change also will be heard by the County Commissioners and Board of Zoning Appeals, if approved by the planners.

Todd Speicher, president of Instrumental Machine & Development, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He said his request for a non-occupied home child care facility was denied by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this year.

He said his employees lose work time on a regular basis to care for their children. Allowing the exceptions would only benefit employees, giving them more child care options.

Sherry Searles, director of the Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce’s LaunchPad coalition, also spoke in favor of the ordinance, thanking the Plan Commission for their consideration.

In May, she and Chamber President Rob Parker talked about the county’s child care crisis, with Searles saying there are enough child day care establishments to care for 1,200 children and a need to provide services for 1,800 more children.

In other business, the Area Plan Commission approved a final plat for the combination of Syracuse Tech Park’s lots 1, 13 and 14 into one lot.

The park is adjacent to U.S. 6, adjacent to Ind. 13, north of the town of Syracuse.

The board also approved Robert and Phyllis Swanson’s request to subdivide their property at 1659 N. CR 600W along Old 30.  Their property is zoned Ag 2 at the northwest corner of CR 600W and Old 30.

With favorable comments from the Kosciusko County Highway Department superintendent, Michael Irving’s request to vacate part of a cul-de-sac at 544 EMS D15 Lane was approved. Highway department trucks make a turnaround in the undeveloped cul-de-sac when clearing roads in the winter.

A three-lot subdivision requested by Matt Cohagan for 14.41 acres on the south side of CR 200S, west of CR 400W, was approved. The property address is 4199 W. 200S.

Area Plan Director Dan Richard presented additions to the zoning ordinance to the county’s plan commission Wednesday allowing child day care services providing non-overnight care, supervision and protection of children in a private residential structure, not occupied by a permanent resident.

Currently, county day care businesses in homes are owner-occupied. The ordinance frees up this restriction allowing businesses to purchase homes in residential districts and operate them as a day care for at least six, and no more than 16, children. No one has to make it their main residence.

The ordinance allows child day care as an exception in all zoned districts. The business must meet all local and state regulations.

A public hearing on the matter will be advertised at the next area planning meeting July 7. The ordinance change also will be heard by the County Commissioners and Board of Zoning Appeals, if approved by the planners.

Todd Speicher, president of Instrumental Machine & Development, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He said his request for a non-occupied home child care facility was denied by the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals earlier this year.

He said his employees lose work time on a regular basis to care for their children. Allowing the exceptions would only benefit employees, giving them more child care options.

Sherry Searles, director of the Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce’s LaunchPad coalition, also spoke in favor of the ordinance, thanking the Plan Commission for their consideration.

In May, she and Chamber President Rob Parker talked about the county’s child care crisis, with Searles saying there are enough child day care establishments to care for 1,200 children and a need to provide services for 1,800 more children.

In other business, the Area Plan Commission approved a final plat for the combination of Syracuse Tech Park’s lots 1, 13 and 14 into one lot.

The park is adjacent to U.S. 6, adjacent to Ind. 13, north of the town of Syracuse.

The board also approved Robert and Phyllis Swanson’s request to subdivide their property at 1659 N. CR 600W along Old 30.  Their property is zoned Ag 2 at the northwest corner of CR 600W and Old 30.

With favorable comments from the Kosciusko County Highway Department superintendent, Michael Irving’s request to vacate part of a cul-de-sac at 544 EMS D15 Lane was approved. Highway department trucks make a turnaround in the undeveloped cul-de-sac when clearing roads in the winter.

A three-lot subdivision requested by Matt Cohagan for 14.41 acres on the south side of CR 200S, west of CR 400W, was approved. The property address is 4199 W. 200S.
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