June 6, 2008

Area Planning Commission eyes fee hike in 2009

Area Planning Commission (APC) Director Mike Lautzenheiser Jr. discussed plans for the proposed increase of fees for services charged by the APC with his board on Thursday evening.

Lautzenheiser updated commission members Harry Baumgartner, Deb Charleston, Angie Dial, Jarrod Hahn, William Horan, Finley Lane, Joe Langel, Jerome Markley, Mike Morrissey, Mark Shaffer and John Schuhmacher on his discussions with County Council members, who had advised they are eager to see departments “earning their keep,” especially if they anticipate greater spending, as county purse strings will be very tight this year.

Last Tuesday county council members requested that Lautzenheiser compile a list of fees charged by similar-sized and neighboring counties for comparison.

Lautzenheiser advised that he had been able to obtain figures from 23 counties with populations of between 20,000 and 50,000 within Indiana for comparison with Wells County. The results of these comparisons were:

— The average fee charged by the 23 counties for arranging a development plan for a 30-acre property is $377.86. Wells County charges $100.

— To arrange a development plan for a major subdivision, the average fee charged by the other counties is $564.14. Wells County charges $375.

— To arrange a development plan for a minor subdivision, the average fee charged by the other counties is $156.50. Wells County charges $40.

— To arrange a development plan for a “location improvement,” prices vary. To get a common example, Lautzenheiser looked at erecting a shed. For this, the average fee charged by the other counties is $54.74. Wells County charges $30.

— To arrange a rezoning of a 30-acre property, the average fee charged by the other counties is $212.05. Wells County charges $100.

The only two areas where Wells County is currently “close” to the average were with regard to BZA fees. For a BZA action, the average fees charged by the other counties is $141.36 and to appeal an administrative decision, the other counties charge an average of $107.78 (In both cases, Wells County charges $125).

Lautzenheiser also noted that despite higher fees, many of the other counties used for the comparison do not provide as much work as Wells County does. He also pointed out that fees have not increased in Wells County for at least 15 years.

It was agreed that there is certainly scope for an increase in several fees. Commission members felt that slightly above average fees would be acceptable, although they were also eager to ensure that Wells County does not become one of the most expensive.

Lautzenheiser also noted that for practical purposes, the final fee should be a “round figure” to avoid the need to keep change on the premises.

Lautzenheiser advised that he would be proposing fee increases in his 2009 budget which will be submitted to the county council in July.

After two continuances on previous months, Blake Gerber finally had a smile on his face as primary approval was given for his amended plans for his proposed major subdivision, forming the final stage of the Bell Brook Estates.

Gerber has been forced to reduce the number of lots in his proposed subdivision from 27 to 26, to allow the plan to meet city standards for utilities, and also street access for emergency services.

The City of Bluffton has now approved his amended plans, and the APC accordingly also gave their “thumbs up”.

Commission members also approved plans submitted by Andy Shively and Larry Owen, representing MMATT Partnership, for the development of a building for use by Indiana Physical Therapy east of Zesto, at 2170 Commerce Drive.

A variance was granted, reducing the side yard set back next to Zesto to five feet due to the parking arrangements at the facility. Shively advised that he had discussed the issue with Bruce Skiles, owner of Zesto, and he had no objections to this proposal.

Owen noted that the building will actually be seven feet from the boundary, but a set back reduction to five feet had been requested to provide some leeway.

Two applications for rezoning came before the Commission, and in both cases, commission members recommended the rezoning be approved by Bluffton City Council.

Dan Decker requested a change in zoning from I-1 to I-2 for a 6.47 acre tract in the north east corner of Adams and Cherry Streets.

Langel left the room for discussion of this proposal due to potential conflict of interest on his part. Although there was no discussion of the actual business expected to use this land, the petition to amend zone maps indicates that it will be used to locate a ready-mix concrete plant on the site.

It was noted that the nearby Alexin plant occupies an I-2 area. Decker indicated that, depending on interest shown by businesses in the park, he may also be applying to have other tracts in the area similarly redesignated in the future.

Kevin Steffen’s request to have two lots in the Pines Mobile Home Park on Jefferson St. rezoned from R3 to M2 was also approved.

Steffen advised that this area has been a trailer park since before 1977, and this rezoning should have been done earlier. His family has lived at the park for six years now, and two years ago he purchased the park. He is trying to upgrade the area, removing old mobile homes and bringing in newer ones to make it a nicer park.

As a resident owner, rather than an “absentee landlord” he is especially keen to ensure the quality of the area is maintained at the highest possible level.

Commission members noted that although their “invitation” to members of the public to offer their services for the Plat Review Committee had received extensive coverage in the News-Banner, only a small number of people had come forward, and these were people largely already involved in various aspects of city or county government.

Individuals from both the realtors and Farm Bureau who had expressed an interest had not yet pursued the issue, and clearly there had not been the anticipated interest shown by the general public.

The reasons for this lack of interest remain unclear, although it had been specified that one major stipulation was the ability to attend Plat Committee meetings, which are currently held at two separate times. On the first Thursday of the month, the meeting is held at 6 p.m., prior to the APC Board meeting. On the third Thursday, the meeting will be held at 9 a.m.

Interested parties who cannot attend every meeting may also be able to serve as an “emergency” however, in the case that an existing regular board member is unable to attend a particular meeting.

Wells County residents interested in offering their services should contact the APC office to discuss the situation.

The next scheduled meeting of the APC is Thursday, July 3, 2008.

frank@news-banner.com

Email Frank Shanly

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