County Plan Commission Hears Report From FORWARD Kosciusko
Posted
Tim Ashley-
Much of the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission Wednesday involved a virtual presentation given by Katie Clark, project manager for Forward Kosciusko County.
Forward Kosciusko County is a countywide comprehensive plan involving land use and development, impacts on transportation and utilities, future development and more.
Clark noted the plan began a little more than a year ago and public input is still sought. “We’re not done” and the plan is still in a draft form, she said.
She noted collaboration from many entities was sought from the beginning and the goal is to get solid data, not just opinions. A comprehensive plan is typically used by county staff, local or municipal staff and organizations and businesses.
Other pieces of the plan include public spaces, parks and recreation, health and wellness, natural resources preservation and more.
“A strategic action plan is under development,” Clark said, and is being targeted out to the year 2045.
A public presentation is being given via Zoom at 5:30 p.m. today. Go to forwardkosciusko.com and click on the “Public Presentation Links” tab at the top of the website to get the Zoom links.
Clark said the goal is to get recommendations on the comprehensive plan from both the APC and county commissioners in April. A public hearing will be held at the April APC meeting.
In other business, there were four petitions presented to the planning commission.
Richard and Kathy Schlipf asked to rezone property from public use to agricultural on CR 425W at the intersection with CR 1000N in Jefferson Township, west of Milford. The Schlipfs purchased an old church building in about 2003 and remodeled part of it as a single-family home, but weren’t aware that would require a rezoning.
Their daughter, Katy Stoller, represented them and said they want to rent out the remaining space in the old church. The petition was recommended for approval by the APC and will now be considered by the county commissioners Tuesday.
Paul and Kelley Faler petitioned to rezone ground from commercial to residential on Hatchery Road at the intersection with Hiawatha Lane in Turkey Creek Township. The property is near a public access point for Lake Wawasee and also near the old fish hatchery property.
The Falers said they want to put two houses on the property, but were encouraged by Dan Richard, area planning director, to stop by the planning office first to talk about setbacks and to see if two houses will fit on the property.
Their petition was recommended for approval and will also be heard by the commissioners Tuesday.
Also on the agenda, Jonathan and Valina Caudell asked for approval of a preliminary plat for a three-lot subdivision known as Banning Hills on CR 450N in Tippecanoe Township. The houses will be eventually connected to the Lakeland Sewer District.
A county-regulated ditch built in 1885 didn’t show up on the GIS, so County Surveyor Mike Kissinger said a variance should be requested from the county drainage board so setbacks can be more clearly defined. Kissinger said the ditch does not presently collect or maintain anything.
Approval was given for the plat with the condition of a sewer hookup.
Terry and Joyce Shepherd were given approval for the replat of four lots in the Candlewood subdivision on Elaine Drive at the intersection with CR 400S in Wayne Township. The lots are being replatted to accommodate a retention pond and the elimination of an easement.
