APC, BZA table controversial decisions
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Carroll County Area Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals members were faced with significant and vocal opposition to two requests at recent meetings. In both instances the issues were tabled.

A request to re-zone five acres of lake resort property to a commercial boat storage usage by Findlay-Summers LLC on 11028N. 1175W. in Jefferson Township was presented. The request for a special exception recommendation to the BZA was presented by Justin Frazier of Tbird Designs. He said the plan was to sell lots to individuals for boat storage. No residential development is planned for the property, which is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. Neighbors John and Patricia Alford objected to the project.

"We don't want people there," Patricia Alford said.

She explained neighbors were not notified although they witnessed dirt being moved in preparation for building. The Alfords offered a list of neighbors opposed to the request to change the zoning designation.

The matter was tabled for further investigation and for a drainage assessment by county surveyor Wayne Chapman, who is a member of APC but not present at the meeting.

In other APC business APC gave a favorable recommendation to a re-zoning request by Herschel and Alisha Irvin of Burrows from suburban residential to general business. Irvin restores antique furniture and is required by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to provide separation of the home from the business.

Comprehensive Land Use Plan Steering Committee member Miriam Robeson received official approval of her offer to act as liaison between Carroll County and the firm hired to provide the plan, Ground Rules Inc.

Robeson presented and received approval for a schedule for up to four public meetings. They included:

• July 23 at Flora First Christian Church;

• July 29 at the Wabash & Erie Canal Conference Center in Delphi;

• July 31 at the Burlington Community Building; and

• Aug. 6 at the Sportsman Inn or White Oaks (if needed).

BZA

The second issue to be tabled was a BZA request for a variance to the zoning ordinance for set back requirements by county resident Larry Trapp. Although the request was on the agenda, Trapp requested the matter be tabled because a party he considered important to the proceedings was not able to attend.

However Trapp said it was necessary to first clarify that the proposed construction would be 450 feet from the nearest house and 100 feet from the property line as opposed to the legal footprint description of the house that, according to zoning administrator Kathy Mylet, includes any building within 25 feet of the house. There is an outbuilding within that range on a neighbor's property.

Opponents to the Trapp variance request asked to be heard and were given an opportunity to express their opinions.

"Your opinion is important," BZA president Pat Baker said.

Christian Knoeller, Camden, said 81 individuals signed a petition opposing the concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) at that location due to environmental and historical issues.

He described the facility as one housing 4,000 hogs which, if built on the proposed site, would be in his opinion too close to neighbors and present drainage issues because the location is near or in the Deer Creek flood plain. He said there would be issues with increased truck traffic on already poor roads in the area as well.

Keith Lewis, who placed a paid advertisement in the Comet's June 18 edition in opposition to the project, said there are 14 families within a one-half mile radius of the proposed CAFO. He expressed issues with safety and general welfare, an adverse effect on neighboring property values and cited Trapp's ability to choose a different location for the building that would be more suitable to the neighbors.

County resident Courtney Justice criticized both the comprehensive land use planning steering committee and Mylet for not adequately representing the public.

On the other side of the issue, county resident Brad Burton said he was unhappy with county residents' opposition to CAFOs. He pointedly addressed different audience members about that opposition. He said the Trapp family was owed an apology for the negative pre-publicity about the project.

The next meeting will be July 22 at 7 p.m. when the matter is expected to be on the agenda.