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Residents of Pierceton gave their opinions on a petition to rezone a property from an agricultural to a commercial district at the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday.
Michele Camacho petitioned the commission to rezone their property on the east side of Ind. 13 in Pierceton from an agricultural district to a commercial district. Matt Sandy, Area Plan director, told the commission the specifics of how that property will be used or who wants to build there does not matter now, but will affect it later if it passes.
Camacho stated on the northwest corner of the property, she was wanting to rezone 1.5 acres. Camacho stated her family had attempted to grow alfalfa, but the soil was not adequate.
“When we talk about how this can assist in the rest of our property and agricultural goals … establishing a homestead or little farm is very expensive,” stated Camacho. “So this sale from this small portion of our property would really help us.”
Camacho told the commission her family is working with the USDA to put in a pasture for any future animals.
“I don’t take lightly that we’re asking to go from agricultural to commercial, because I’m a huge supporter of sustainable agriculture,” stated Camacho, “but I feel like, for us, this is getting a little to gain a lot and to have the financial means to finish all of these goals.”
Dave Peters, with Chamlin and Associates, surveyed Camacho’s land for their petition.
Camacho stated she did contact the immediate neighbors and none of them were “too excited” about this prospect. She also stated a mile north on Ind. 13, there are four properties that are zoned as commercial and this could bring in more jobs. Camacho made clear that her property did not have to deal with standing water on that section, or flooding, like many other neighbors have.
Peters is the surveyor and developer of the property that Camacho is wanting to rezone. Peters stated that when they did a traffic study on the intersection on Dec. 4, it was not a true reflection of how busy that road can be.
Kevin McSherry, vice president of the commission, asked what the use would be, to which Peters stated it would be for a Dollar General. Sandy reiterated that as of this hearing, it is not important as to what is going onto that property.
No neighbors supported the petition.
Jody Kibbe, who resides off of East CR 150N, stated putting a commercial building on the corner of Ind. 13 and CR 150N is a bad idea because of the traffic that runs through at top speeds through there. Kibbe stated because of the traffic constantly going up and down, including children from the lakes using golf carts, someone could get severely hurt. She stated the road does flood, and because of the swamp in the area, it happens quite a bit.
Matthew Wolf, a neighbor on East CR 150N, stated the intersection is “probably one of the worst within a 25-mile stretch.” Wolf commented the lake traffic is bad in the summer, and only gets better slightly in the off-months. He also brought up that this will become the fourth Dollar General within a 10-mile radius of Pierceton.
Jennifer Reiff, who lives off of Ind. 13, stated by putting a commercial business there it would increase the risk of accidents and personal property damage. Reiff brought up the concerns with the environmental impact it would have if they change this property back into an agricultural property if it fails.
“If this is approved … it will erode the agricultural character in the county,” stated Reiff.
Beth Prater, Brent Messmore and Breck Walls brought up concerns about the constant traffic flow in the intersection, and the number of people who think that CR 150N is “a race car track is enough to cause concern.”
Jonathan Cosby stated while he did have his land rezoned a couple years ago, it did not detract from the beauty of the land.
Jason and Amber Sherman both stated by placing another Dollar General in the area, including one that is out in the middle of farmland, it will “set precedent for spot zoning changes and only cheapens our county.”
Missy Cook brought up Dollar General had closed hundreds of stores that were underperforming in the last year and asked for the commission to consider if this was in the best interest of the county.
Camacho was able to rebut the complaints her neighbors made, stating she understands what her neighbors are saying. She agreed there were a lot of issues with the intersection and this could be a way to make it safer. She noted she had a list of 90 supporters from all over the county, and there is no swamp on her property.
“When we look at the highest and best … by my estimation it is what [the property] is currently being used for,” said Bob Conley, commission member. “She wants to build a homestead and we applaud that. There’s no homestead I can think of that ever had a convenience store associated with it … I’m not sure a convenience store would be an integral part of the homestead.”
The petition was denied and will go to the Kosciusko County Commissioners on March 24 to not rezone.
In other business:
• The commission approved the vacation of a right-of-way off of East Eli Lilly Road, Syracuse.
• At the next meeting, the commission will talk more about approving and advertising an ordinance for Planned Unit Developments.
• Sandy has been keeping on top of several legislative bills, including House Bill 1001, which will require the commission to submit reports on housing and the commission will have to account for all houses demolished, renovated, etc., and report it to the state.
Another bill, HB 1150, will require every county with an airport within five miles of the planning jurisdiction to have an overlay ordinance.
The next meeting of the Area Plan Commission will be at 1 p.m. April 1.
