Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission passed a recommendation Wednesday to rezone a property on Tippecanoe Lake from residential to commercial.
If approved by the Kosciusko County commissioners Jan. 22, the rezoning would make way for a restaurant to be established on the land, which is currently the site of a marina. Attorney Richard Hill, representing the petitioner, corporate entity RoyBar, told the board the owners plan to run the marina and establish a restaurant.County Plan Director Dan Richard said his department has received several letters in support of the request. More than 30 people attended Wednesday's meeting to show support for the request.
Local resident Wayne Hunley spoke out against the request. Hunley owns a residence immediately north of the marina. He said if a restaurant is allowed on the property, traffic will increase in the area.
Hunley said he is concerned that property values in the area could decrease. He also said he has concerns that the restaurant property owners would pursue an alcohol license.
"I don't want that in my back yard," Hunley told the plan commission.
Richard told the board even if the county approves the rezoning, the property owners will still be required to secure an exception from the board of zoning appeals to allow two uses on one piece of property or to expand a non-conforming use.
In other news:
n The board approved a petition from Greg and Jane Griner for a primary plat on property on the west side of Constitution Drive, just north of Cherokee in Turkey Creek Township.
n The board tabled a request from Bruce Cavell to approve a preliminary plat to build a new county road for a commercial development on property on the east side of Ind. 13, south of CR 500N in Tippecanoe Township.
