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The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission received an update after the passing of House Bill 1001 during their regular meeting on Wednesday.
During the last legislative session, the state passed HB 1001, which deals with not only fees the APC sets, but how their funds will be allocated.
“If we feel that any fees need to be adjusted,” said Matt Sandy, Area Plan Commission director, “there are a couple provisions that will go into place. One … once the bill goes into effect, we can only adjust those fees by the mean average national income rate … The other aspect is that we can only change our rates once every five years. Unless there’s a significant change, we’re locked in for five years.”
Sandy informed the commission after Jan. 1, 2027, all the funds will be going into a new account and cannot revert back to where the funds are currently, which is the county’s general fund. Sandy asked the commission if they wanted to look at adjusting the fees or if the commission was comfortable with where they currently are.
Joe Irwin, commission member, asked if it could be looked at after the budget was done. Bob Conley, commission member, moved Sandy look at the scheduling for the fees and come back with a recommendation, which was approved.
Steve Snyder, local attorney, came to the commission on behalf of Anthony and Tonya Blanchard, who petitioned to rezone 5.57 acres of their property located on the east side of CR 450E and north of CR 1100N in Syracuse, from an Agricultural District to an Agricultural 2 District. Snyder stated the Blanchards wanted to make another lot on the parcel to build a new home, and to sell the existing property.
Commission member Matt Goodnight asked what the sizes would be of the two lots, to which Snyder answered that it would be over an acre per lot. Irwin noted there was no tillable acreage around, and Commission member Larry Coplen noted it would be “contingent on septic.” This was approved.
Other Business
The APC approved four final plats for Lamar and Vonda Mast, Scott Langohr, Carl and Tammy Kendrik and Kenneth Light.
Earl and Lauren Chupp did not get the affidavit “to notify surrounding property owners correct” and asked for a continuance until next month, which was approved.
With the resignation of Casey Boggs from the commission, Sandy did reach out to the Small Town Advisory Board, and has not heard back yet. He did state if he did not hear from them by the July meeting, he would reach out again, noting “it’s good to have a full board.”
The next meeting of the APC will be at 1 p.m. July 1.
