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In a decision that narrowly avoided being a precedent regarding the development of land east of Stonehenge, the Kosciusko County Commissioners denied Curtis and Brenda Worrell's request to rezone 8.845 acres of land from agricultural to residential.
Worrell, who owns the land, wanted to break the land into four or five plots, which would be sold to other families.
The petition came from the Kosciusko Board of Zoning Appeals with four reasons for the denial recommendation.
Issues such as drainage, impact on the wetlands, consistency with surrounding areas and soil quality for septic systems were all discussed in regard to the petition.
Dr. Tim Cook, the main remonstrator, spoke about the conservation of the wetlands and the fact that, with a residential zoning, up to 20 houses could be built on the land, which could devastate the ecology of the wetlands.
Cook said that if there were only two or three homes on the land, it would not be a problem for him. With residential zoning, however, there are no restrictions that would keep Worrell or a later owner from building more.
With a host of remonstrators and supporters, the commissioners found themselves in a difficult position.
Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson, after listening to both sides of the debate, leaned to commissioner Eddie Creighton and said, "I think I have a way to make both sides happy."
Jackson's idea resulted from the lot size restriction on Ag II zoned areas. Ag II is a special zoning of the agricultural category. A normal residential zoned area has a lot limitation of 15,000 square feet while Ag II has a limitation of one acre.
The most that could be constructed from the Ag II zoning on Worrell's 8.845 acres could then be 8 lots.
Dan Richards, Kosciusko County Planner, said the Worrells could place a restriction concerning the number of houses to be built when they apply for the rezoning.
Jackson told the Worrell's that if they did re-apply for the zoning as Ag II, he would vote in their favor.
Both sides, after Jackson's proposal, appeared happy with the idea.
In other business the commissioners told Winona Lake Town Council President Brent Wilcoxson that they would not pay for the paving of Pierceton road inside the newly annexed boundaries.
Wilcoxson was asking for the commissioners to pay a partial amount for the 18 years the road was under Kosciusko County control.
Creighton said, "I hate to take this position" because he thought the town was making good improvements but he felt it was not a responsibility of the county.
He said that the commissioners would have Rob Ladson, highway engineer, look into the possibility of assisting the town of Winona Lake on a smaller scale to help offset the cost.
