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Two rezonings before the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday, both with remonstrances, met separate fates, as one was unanimously denied and the other was unanimously approved.
Denied was Thomas and Sandra Groninger's petition to rezone approximately 34 acres from an agricultural district to an industrial II district. The property is on the north side of CR 200N and zero feet east of CR 350W in Prairie Township. The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission June 11 approved by a vote of five to two to recommend to the commissioners that the rezoning be approved. The plan commission is only a recommending body to the commissioners on rezonings. The commissioners have the final approval or denial.
The 34 acres is directly adjacent to the industrial corridor. Previously, the property was part of a larger piece of land zoned environmental, but it was rezoned to agricultural last year and then auctioned off. Groninger bought 34 of those acres in the auction.
It was because that property was rezoned agricultural last year that the commissioners denied the petition. Commissioner Ron Truex said that when they approved the rezoning last year, they sent a message that it was OK for residences to be built on the properties, which people did when they bought some of the land at the auction.
"We created a situation ... , looking back, encouraging residential development," said Truex.
Cary Groninger, speaking on behalf of his father, Tom Groninger, said they were trying to look toward the future with the rezoning. The property is surrounded by industrial zoning already.
"It's not like we're asking for something that's not already there," he said.
Remonstrators provided the commissioners with a petition of 117 signatures against the rezoning.
One of those area residents speaking out against the rezoning was Chris Garza. Garza said the industrial corridor is approximately 1,700 acres and only a small percentage is being used. She said she and her husband were both "concerned about the unfavorable impact that this could have on our community."
Also speaking out was Larry Kinsey. He spoke of the historical significance of the area and how "true progress would mean preserving the beauty, history and livability just beyond the end of the planned industrial corridor." He said he could not think of anyone who lives in the area who wants the zoning changed to industrial, "so we must conclude that we object to the proposed zoning change."
Approved by the commissioners was the petition from Garl Wetters to rezone property from an agricultural district to a residential district. The 12.4-acre property is on the west side of Levi Lee Road in Plain Township. The plan commission unanimously approved recommending the commissioners approve the rezoning.
Attorney Richard Helm represented Wetters and said the request was very clearly uniform and compatible with the area. There will be approximately seven to nine lots.
Remonstrating against the petition first was Brian Berry, who said his biggest concern was the traffic problems that would be created on Levi Lee Road if more homes were built there.
"Public safety is extremely important and I'm sure you are concerned about that, too," he said.
The intersection of Levi Lee Road and Ind. 15 is one of the most dangerous intersections in the county, and more residences in the area will make it worse, he said. People don't just travel the posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour, but usually 60 to 65 mph.
Other remonstrators also said they were concerned about traffic safety and water runoff from the new residences.
Helm said the traffic and drainage issues will be addressed during the platting process. If the area residents really were concerned about the traffic on the road, Helm said, they would have been to the commissioners before Tuesday to ask for something to be done.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved a contract with an Indianapolis-based company for hosting the county's Web site for a one-time cost of $3,000 and then $800 per month.
• Approved the life and medical insurance for county employees. Even after negotiations, the county's cost will increase 17 percent for the medical insurance.
• Approved accepting Dog Leg Drive East and T-Trail in South Shore Green subdivision into the county's road system.
• Were reminded of the July 8 meeting at 7 p.m. in the Justice Building regarding draft proposals for the Western Route Corridor.
Kosciusko County Commissioners are Ron Truex, middle district; Avis Gunter, southern district; and Brad Jackson, northern district. They meet at 9 a.m. in the county courthouse every other Tuesday.
