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Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission approved all five of the cases that came before it during its regular meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Domenic and Sondra Politano, represented by attorney Steve Snyder, petitioned to rezone 8.87 acres from agricultural district to Ag. District II. The property is on Ind. 14 in Jackson Township.
Snyder explained the Politanos received an exception in 2021 for two residences on the property. Domenic had living quarters above a shop on the property. The couple want to build a home nearby and eliminate the living quarters in the shop.
The property has a Y driveway accessing Ind. 14. Snyder acknowledged it did provide some visibility issues, but Snyder thought those could be addressed by removing a crab apple tree at the end of the driveway.
Snyder told the commission property to the east of the Politanos is zoned Ag. II so they aren't asking for something unusual, and there is no agricultural use on the property. Snyder stressed the only difference will be a house on the northeast corner of the lot.
Commissioner Larry Coplen asked if the Politanos planned to change the driveway or leave it the same. Snyder said the driveway had been a Y formation for years with no problems. Commissioner Bob Conley said he saw the Y formation as providing some safety.
The case will go before the County Commissioners on Sept. 23 for approval.
Greg and Kristina Jensen requested their property on Pickwick Drive in Syracuse be rezoned from commercial to residential. Matt Sandy, area plan director, explained the home is a nonconforming use zoned commercial. Jensen told the commissioners he purchased the property a month ago and would just like a lower tax rate.
Sandy explained property is usually taxed based on its use, not its zoning. Commissioner Matt Goodnight said he drove by the home and the property is in a transition zone from commercial to residential. A motion was made to send a recommendation to the Syracuse Town Council during its Sept. 16 meeting.
Alpheus and Lynae Eherenaman, Monroe Township, requested rezoning 3.25 acres from Ag. to Ag. II. The Eherenamans are looking to separate 3.25 acres from an additional 60 acres they farm to build a house. Sandy explained what the Eherenamans plan to do is change the zoning and spilt the 3.25 acres into two or three lots.
Alpheus Eherenaman said the plan is to eventually build a house on the property and use the existing home, which is currently rented, as a mother-in-law suite. He has no plan as to when the new house will be built.
Sandy noted the area planning office did receive a petition and letter of remonstrance. Two of Eherenaman’s neighbors came forward with concerns. Nathan Carver asked if there could be three 20-acre plots broken off in the future. Sandy said it was possible. Eherenaman said he has no desire to split the remaining 60 acres into 20-acre plots. He currently has cattle and chickens on the property along with growing hay.
David Bales, who lives across the street from the property, asked if the property went to Ag. II was it Eherenaman's intent to keep it residential or could it be turned into a confined feeding lot. Sandy said the property could have "critters" on it if zoned Ag. II, but not to the extent of a confined feeding situation. Eherenaman again stressed he planned on building a house on the lot.
Commissioner Kevin McSherry asked if Eherenaman would allow a mobile or manufactured home on the property. Eherenaman said he understood the property had a restriction that did not allow mobile or manufactured homes on the property. It was determined his purchase agreement prevented manufactured home.
Eherenaman stated he had no desire to put a mobile or "a double-wide" on the property as he feels it would devalue the property. He simply wants to eventually build a house on the property.
"My whole thing is not to divide the farm," he said.
Commissioner James Moyer pointed out there are 14 houses in the area.
"What he's proposing fits," he said.
The matter will be recommended for approval at the county commissioners’ Sept. 23 meeting.
The area plan commission approved vacating a portion of Wray Drive South for three lots in the Old Wray Homestead Subdivision in Prairie Township. A recommendation for approval will go to the commissioners during their Sept. 23 meeting.
