Census 2010 Participation Rates

This entry shows various participation rates. The information is frequently and automatically updated.

Here is the participation rate for Steuben County.


Here is the participation rate for Indiana.


Here is the participation rate for the whole country.

Sample Sketch Plan

The Steuben County Plan Commission is pleased to announce that the sample sketch plan is now available. It has been developed to show what information the Zoning Ordinance requires to be on sketch plans. (Chapter 16)


Individual sketch plans will look different and may require either more or less information. Please contact the Plan Commission Office in advance with any specific questions concerning your plans.

Larger copies of the sample sketch plan will be available in the Plan Commission Office in several days.

Starting on Monday, April 19, 2010, all sketch plans must comply with Chapter 16 of the Steuben County Zoning Ordinance or no Improvement Location Permit will be issued.

Please contact this office with any questions.

Census 2010 Participation Rates

As of Tuesday, March 30, 2010, Steuben County has a 46% Mail Participation Rate for the 2010 US Census.

(Mail participation rate is a measure of the amount of census forms returned from addresses which received the survey.)

The rate for Indiana is 50% and 46% for the entire country.

Here is how Steuben County's rate compares to neighboring counties.

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DeKalb	58%
Lagrange	56%
Noble	53%
Steuben	46%

Here are the participation rates of Steuben County communities.

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Fremont	58%
Angola	52%
Ashley	47%
Orland	46%
Hudson	42%
Hamilton	34%
Clear Lake	25%

Here are the participation rates of Steuben County townships.

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Scott	61%
Fremont	57%
York	57%
Jackson	52%
Richland	51%
Pleasant	50%
Steuben	48%
Salem	46%
Millgrove	45%
Jamestown	38%
Otsego	35%
Clear Lake	31%

This information came from the US Census. Updated information and maps can be viewed here.

Staff Reports- April 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission Office prepares staff reports for all Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals hearings.

These staff reports have been made available for review prior to meetings since spring 2009.

We are pleased to announce that they are now available by email to any interested citizen. If you would like to have Plan Commission and/or Board of Zoning Appeals staff reports sent to your inbox, please send us a message indicating so.

These reports are completed roughly two weeks prior to the Plan Commission hearing.

The Plan Commission may also be able to post these reports on the "home tab" of the Steuben County GIS.

We hope that sharing this information will help Steuben County residents be better informed of the planning and zoning activities in the community.

Office Closing- April 2, 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission and the Steuben County Offices will be closed on Friday, April 2, 2010, at noon in observance of Good Friday.

BZA Agenda- April 19, 2010

Notice is hereby given that the Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on April 19, 2010, at 7:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN, for consideration of the following agenda:

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1. (V-10-23ABC) Donald & Lane Ross petition for three developmental-standard variances for a detached garage addition. Variances are for a road-front setback on twenty (20) feet rather than the twenty-five (25) feet required, for a side-yard setback of four (4) feet rather than the five (5) feet required, & for an accessory building height of two (2) stories rather than the one (1) story allowed. Property is located at 6277 W South Lake Gage, Section 2 of Jackson Twp (Map# 76-05-02-120-211.000-005) &

2. (V-10-24AB) Phil Cain & Shawn Stark petition for two developmental-standard variances for a major subdivision. Variances are for a depth to width ratio of four & a half to one (4.5:1) rather than the maximum four to one (4:1) allowed & for zero (0) square feet of recreation area rather than the twenty-five thousand five hundred (25,500) square feet required. Property is located at 9575 E 750 N, Section 16 of Clear Twp (Map# 76-01-16-410-101.000-001).

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The above petitions are on file for public examination in the Plan Commission Office, 317 S Wayne St Ste 3L, Angola, IN. Written statements may be filed with the Steuben County Plan Director and may be considered by the BZA at the public hearing. Interested persons wishing to present their views on a petition will be given the opportunity to do so at the hearing. Hearings on particular petitions may be continued at the discretion of the BZA. Petitions requiring the consideration of the Board of Commissioners will be heard at their next regularly scheduled meeting with agenda openings.

Calendar for April 2010

Monday, April 5, 2010, at 9:00am.
Lakes Advisory Board Meeting
Presbyterian Chapel of the Lakes

Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 7:00pm.
Plan Commission Hearing
Multi-purpose Room, Steuben County Community Center
6 New Agenda Items
Agenda on GIS “Home Page”, Agenda on Weblog
Hearing is open to the public.
Webcast/Recording (pending technical issues)

Thursday, April 8, 2010, at 7:00pm.
Design Review Committee*
Pillar Room or Board Room, Steuben County Community Center
Meeting is open to the public.
* If necessary.

Friday, April 9, 2010, at 4:00pm.
May Hearing Sign-Up Deadline
Steuben County Plan Commission Office
Notes: All applications must be complete at time of submission.

Monday, April 12, 2010, at 7:00pm.
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing
Multi-purpose Room, Steuben County Community Center
6 New Agenda Items
Agenda on GIS “Home Page”, Agenda on Weblog
Hearing is open to the public.
Webcast/Recording

Monday, April 19, 2010, at 7:00pm.
Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing
Multi-purpose Room*, Steuben County Community Center
2 New Agenda Items
Agenda on GIS “Home Page”, Agenda on Weblog
Hearing is open to the public.
*Hearing may be relocated to another room in the Community Center.
Webcast/Recording

Thursday, April 29 2010, at 8:00 am
Plan Commission Site Survey*
Various sites throughout the county. Site survey begins in the Steuben County Community Center.
Site survey is open to the public.
* If necessary.

Friday, April 30 2010, at 7:00 am
Board of Zoning Appeals Site Survey*
Various sites throughout the county. Site survey begins in the Steuben County Community Center.
Site survey is open to the public.
*If necessary.

Site Survey Reminder- March 25/26, 2010

Steuben County Plan Commission members will conduct a site survey on Thursday, March 25, 2010. The site survey begins at the Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN, parking lot at 8:00 am. Various locations will be visited.

Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals members will conduct a site survey on Friday, March 26, 2010. The site survey begins at the Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN, parking lot at 7:00 am. Various locations will be visited.

Members of the public may be present. However, no evidence or testimony may be taken on the site survey.

Tax & GIS Program- March 23, 2010

The Steuben County Assessor and GIS Department will present a program on Tuesday, March 23, at 7:00 pm. The program will be held in the ground floor of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S Wayne, Angola, IN.

Property Taxes.
This portion of the program will describe how farms and structures are taxed, and how individuals can use that information for long-term planning. Discussion will be led by the Steuben County Assessor, Larry May.

Information will also be available from Larry DeBoer of Purdue concerning why farmland taxes may be going up and what individuals can do about it.

This is expected to last approximately one hour.

GIS.
Participants will learn how to use Steuben County's online mapping system. They will learn what tools are available to make their own maps and learn how to find many types of property information. Individuals will also learn how to pay property taxes online.

This portion of the program will be presented by Chad Hoover, Steuben County GIS Coordinator.

BZA Agenda- April 12, 2010

Notice is hereby given that the Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on DATE, at 7:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN, for consideration of the following agenda:

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1. (SE-10-02) Boat House, LLC petitions for a Special Exception Use for a Marina in a General Business Zoning District. A marina is considered a Special Exception Use in General Business zoning district. Property is located at 120 LN 447 Lk James, Section 4 of Pleasant Twp (Map#76-06-04-220-103.000-011),

2. (V-10-11ABC) Keith & Louise Pomeroy petition for three post-construction developmental-standard variances for a detached shed. Variances are for a side-yard setback of one (1) foot nine (9) inches rather than the five (5) feet required, for a building-to-building setback of eight (8) feet five (5) inches rather than the ten (10) feet required, and for a building-to-building setback of two (2) feet ten (10) inches rather than the ten (10) feet required. Property is located at 7845 N 450 W, Section18 of Jamestown Twp (Map#76-03-18-210-205.000-006),

3. (V-10-20) Caruso Enterprises, Inc & Todd Aldrich petition for one developmental-standard variance for a business addition. Variance is for a road-front setback of twenty-one (21) feet rather than the forty (40) feet required. Property is located at 2405 N 200 W, Section 9 of Pleasant Twp (Map#76-06-09-000-016.000-011),

4. (V-10-21AB) Ricky & Tammy Rinehart petition for two land-use variances for a home and business. Variances are to have two (2) uses on a parcel rather than the one (1) use allowed & for a trucking business in an agricultural zoning district where that use is neither a permitted nor a special exception use. Property is located at 3795 W 700 S, Section 32 of Steuben Twp (Map#76-11-32-000-008.000-017),

5. (V-10-22) Linda Kring petition for one developmental-standard variance for a lake access lot. Variance is for a lot depth of forty (40) feet rather than the one hundred (100) feet required. Property is located at 635 LN 101 Lk Pleasant, Section 12 of Millgrove Twp (Map#76-04-12-000-001.010-007), &

6. (V-10-25) Roy Koester & Jesse & Martha Brown petition for one developmental-standard variance for an uncovered deck. Variance is for a side-yard setback of two (2) feet (6) inches rather than the five (5) feet required. Property is located at 1940 LN 105 Lk James, Section 4 of Pleasant Twp (Map#76-06-04-110-135.000-011).

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The above petitions are on file for public examination in the Plan Commission Office, 317 S Wayne St Ste 3L, Angola, IN. Written statements may be filed with the Steuben County Plan Director and may be considered by the BZA at the public hearing. Interested persons wishing to present their views on a petition will be given the opportunity to do so at the hearing. Hearings on particular petitions may be continued at the discretion of the BZA. Petitions requiring the consideration of the Board of Commissioners will be heard at their next regularly scheduled meeting with agenda openings.

Downtown Angola Groundbreaking- March 29, 2010

Well, after 35 years of talking, dreaming and planning we are finally here! The first phase of our downtown revitalization project will begin next week. To celebrate and to kick-off the construction season we are hosting a ground-breaking ceremony and we are inviting all of you to attend!

The ceremony will be held on Monday March 29th 2010 at 9am near the front doors of City Hall. Light refreshments will be served after the event in the lobby of City Hall. We look forward to this exciting project and hope to see you on the 29th!

-Julie Cole, City of Angola

Plan Commission Agenda- April 7, 2010

Notice is hereby given that the Steuben County Plan Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 7, 2010, at 7:00pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN, for consideration of the following agenda:

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1. (P-10-05) Walter & Marsha Drewes petition for primary approval of the minor subdivision of “Drewes Subdivision.” The proposed subdivision will combine six (6) parcels on fifty-eight (58) acres & create two (2) lots measuring approximately fourteen (14) & forty-four (44) acres. Properties are located at 5009 E US Highway 20, Sections 26, 27, 34 & 35 of Scott Twp (Map# 76-07-26-000-013/014.000-016; 76-07-27-000-027.010-016; 76-07-35-000-006/007.000-016; 76-07-34-000-001.000-016),

2. (Z-10-02) Ron & Margaret Carlson petition for a zone change of a four (4) acre parcel. The proposed zone change is from Agricultural to Local Business. Property is located at 6774 E 750 N, Section 13 of Fremont Twp (Map# 76-02-13-000-001.010-022),

3. (Z-10-03) Steuben County Plan Commission petitions for a zone change of a half (0.5) acre parcel. The proposed zone change is from Local Business to Agricultural. Property is located on the south side of Orland Rd across from 5325 W Orland, Section 1 of Jackson Twp (Map# 76-05-01-000-009.000-005),

4. (Z-10-04) Pleasant Shores, LLC petitions for a zone change of a four (4) acre parcel. The proposed zone change is from Agricultural to Lake Residential. Property is located on LN 101 Lk Pleasant east side of 635 LN 101 Lk Pleasant, Sections 7 of Jamestown Twp (Map# 76-03-07-000-004.000/004.010-006),

5. (SE-10-02) Boat House, LLC petitions for a Special Exception Use for a Marina in a General Business Zoning District. A marina is considered a Special Exception Use in General Business zoning district. Property is located at 120 LN 447 Lk James, Section 4 of Pleasant Twp (Map# 76-06-04-220-103.000-011), &

6. (A-10-03) An amendment to the Steuben County Zoning Ordinance. Proposed amendment will create additional decision criteria for developmental-standard variances and will add decision criteria for appeals of decisions.

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The above petitions are on file for public examination in the Plan Commission Office, 317 S Wayne St Ste 3L, Angola, IN. Written statements may be filed with the Steuben County Plan Director and may be considered by the Plan Commission at the public hearing. Interested persons wishing to present their views on a petition will be given the opportunity to do so at the hearing. Hearings on particular petitions may be continued at the discretion of the Plan Commission. Petitions requiring the consideration of the Board of Commissioners or the BZA will be heard at their next regularly scheduled meeting with agenda openings.

Spring Expo- March 20, 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission will participate in the Steuben Spring Expo 2010. We are excited about this opportunity to share information with and answer questions from the public.

The Spring Expo will be on Saturday, March 20, from 8:00am to 3:00pm. It will be held in the Angola Central Gym and the Steuben Community Center.

Our booth will be in the multi-purpose room of the Community Center.

The Spring Expo is free to the public. Food will available from 11:00am to 2:00pm, and there will be hourly door prizes.

The Spring Expo is sponsored by the Steuben County 4-H Fair Board and the Steuben County Purdue Extension.

Fee Schedule- March 17, 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission's new fee schedule became effective today, March 17, 2010. The County Commissioners passed Resolution 02-210-01 with first readings on February 16, 2010, and the second and third readings on March 1, 2010.

There were several changes and additions to fee schedule; they are detailed below.

The cost for an administrative division decreased to $150 from the previous $200.

The cost for legal notification by mail increased to $50 from the previous $40.

The fees for wind turbines and wind farms were established. (Those did not exist in the previous fee schedule.)

Other costs that were not listed did not change from the previous Plan Commission fee schedule.

Census 2010- March 16, 2010

With Census forms arriving in Steuben County mailboxes, we thought it was time to share some more information about the Census (and why it is important to Steuben County for everybody to complete and return the forms).

You may complete your Census form and return it as soon as you receive it.

The following information is provided by 2010 Census Indiana.


How does the Census impact Indiana’s rural and agricultural communities?

• The 10-year Census count will show us how (and how much) the rural and agricultural areas of our state are changing, where people are coming from or where they moved to, and more.
• The size of an area’s population determines how much federal and state money is received in our communities.
• County extension offices, co-ops, federal agricultural assistance programs, and others use Census information when applying for grants, determining levels of disaster relief funding, and how to target their services.

How does the Census benefit me and my neighbors?

• Census data is used to apportion congressional seats.
• Census data is used to draw districts for the Indiana General Assembly.
• Census data drives funding for and delivery of many federal programs, up to $1,200 per person. (Medicaid, WIC food grants, social services, Schools, Transportation funding, Programs for seniors, Emergency supplies)

What is the Census process?

• The U.S. Constitution requires a count of all people living in the United States every 10 years. The United States Census Bureau is charged with counting the population.
• The Census count does not differentiate between citizens and non-citizens; ALL people living in the U.S. are counted.
• The Census Bureau uses address lists (updated this year) to send a Census form to each residence in the country.
• Residences include homes, apartments, residential facilities, dorms, shelters, and non-traditional housing structures.

April 1, 2010 is Census Day.

• Forms will arrive in the U.S. mail in mid- to late-March 2010.
• Census forms are available in multiple languages.
• Census responses should reflect all people living in a residence as of April 1, 2010.
• Responses should also reflect those people who live in the residence most of the year.

Are Census responses confidential?

• Data you provide to the U.S. Census Bureau through the 2010 Census Form is private.
• Data is not shared with federal, state, or local government agencies.
• Data is not shared with law enforcement.
• Names and addresses collected as a part of the Census are used to verify that each resident is counted only once. Names and addresses are not provided to law enforcement.

County Commissioners- March 15, 2010

The Steuben County Board of Commissioners approved (VPW-10-01) Clifton on Monday, March 15, 2010. The vacation was for a 4' platted walkway between lots 5 and 6 of Lone Tree Point, 1760/1780 LN 105 Lk James, Section 4 of Pleasant Twp, Map# 76-06-04-110-148/149.000-011.

The County Commissioners approved the Plan Commission's request to spend $159.25 from the "Vehicle Maintenance & Repair" account to replace the brake light switch of the Plan Commission's Explorer.

The County Commissioners approved the Plan Commission's request to fund the American Planning Association membership dues for the Plan Director and Assistant Plan Director.

Code Enforcement Cases- March 11, 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission has submitted several code enforcement cases to the Plan Commission attorney for legal action. The Plan Commission's objective is always compliance; legal action is undertaken as a last resort.

However, if a property owner does not respond to requests to correct a violation, the Plan Commission must file with the courts. This process results in added costs and fines, above and beyond the costs of remediation, which the violator is required to pay. If the court issues an order, violation of that order can result in contempt of court charges.

The following cases have been submitted to the Steuben County Plan Commission attorney to prepare legal filings:

Name	Map Number
Theresa Dalton	76-03-32-120-526.000-006
Up In Smoke, Inc	76-03-35-000-007.000-006
Thomas Pike	76-04-35-210-716.000-007
Charles & Susana Vaughn	76-05-20-000-017.000-005
Robert & Laura Homan	76-06-04-410-204.000-011
Lam Co	76-06-31-140-212.000-011
Claude & Drucilla Combs	76-06-31-230-125.000-011
Larry Wilcox	76-08-36-000-019.000-021
Dale Dirrim	76-09-31-000-018/019.000-013
Teresa & Stacy Osborne	76-12-07-210-108.000-014

Census 2010- March 10, 2010

If you haven't heard yet, the 2010 Census will be here soon. This blog will share some information about the Census over the upcoming weeks.

Let's start at the beginning. The Census is required Article 1, Section 2 of the US Constitution. The first Census was conducted in 1790. Originally, the Census was used primarily to adjust the number or Representatives each state sent to the US House of Representatives.

As the county has expanded, so has the amount of information collected and how that information is used. Please note that personal information is confidential and cannot be released. More information about privacy and the Census can be found here.

The following list shows some ways that data from the Census is used and affects us here in Indiana. (List is provided by Census Indiana.)

1. Decision-making at all levels of government
2. Reapportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives (435)
3. Drawing federal, state, and local legislative districts
4. Drawing school district boundaries
5. Budget planning for government
6. Distribution of over $300 billion in federal funds
7. Monitoring economic trends
8. Forecasting future transportation needs
9. Planning public transportation projects
10. Planning for hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other health services
11. Planning health and education for people with disabilities
12. Forecasting future housing needs
13. Forecasting population trends
14. Directing funds to services for people living in poverty
15. Directing services to children and adults with limited English skills
16. Designing public safety strategies
17. Urban planning
18. Rural development
19. Land use planning
20. Charting local demographic changes
21. Understanding local and regional labor supplies
22. Estimating the number of people displaced by natural disasters
23. Assessing the potential for spread of communicable diseases
24. Developing assistance programs for low-income families
25. Determining the local impact of Base Realignment and Closure programs
26. Creating maps to speed emergency services to households
27. Making informed business decisions
28. Delivering goods and services to local markets
29. Understanding consumer needs
30. Designing facilities for the elderly, children and people with disabilities
31. Helping community foundations identify the size and nature of their service areas
32. Product planning
33. Locating factory sites and distribution centers
34. Evaluating risk and investment planning
35. Setting community goals
36. Producing economic and demographic reports about the United States and its people
37. Standardizing public and private sector surveys
38. Scientific research
39. Comparing progress between different geographic areas
40. Developing interactive maps for government and business
41. Genealogical research
42. Creating radius reports for business site location
43. Researching school projects
44. Establishing baseline demographics for medical research
45. Developing adult education programs
46. Media planning and research, background for news stories
47. Historical research
48. Evidence in litigation involving land use
49. Locating areas eligible for federal housing assistance and rehab loans
50. Attracting new businesses to an area

Code Enforcement Update- March 9, 2010

Even during the winter season, the Steuben County Plan Commission continues code enforcement actions. This entry gives an update of these continuing efforts.

Environmental Nuisance. (Ordinance 658)
The Plan Commission has received 3 new environmental nuisance complaints in January & February 2010. During the same period of 2009, a total of 53 new environmental nuisance complaints were received.

The following graph shows the new environmental nuisance complaints received by the Steuben County Plan Commission per month since January 2009.



Abandoned Vehicles. (Ordinance 771)
The Plan Commission has received 1 new abandoned vehicle complaint in January & February 2010. During the same period of 2009, a total of 53 new environmental nuisance complaints were received.

The following graph shows the new abandoned vehicle complaints received by the Steuben County Plan Commission per month since January 2009.



Other Ordinance Violations.
The Plan Commission has opened 18 new cases for other ordinance violations in January & February 2010. During the same period of 2009, a total of 48 new cases were opened. (Other ordinance violations include building without a permit or installing a sign without a permit.)

The following graph shows the new environmental nuisance complaints received by the Steuben County Plan Commission per month since January 2009.



Closed Cases.
Winter has become the time when Code Enforcement has time to review all of the open files. This has especially be the case these past few years. Beginning in October 2009, the Plan Commission began a full review of all of the open files in the cabinets, including some dating back to 2000.

In January and February 2010, the Plan Commission was able to close 78 open files. During the same period in 2009, a total of 271 open files were closed.

Reforms are underway that will reduce the length of time that complaints are open to no more than 90 days. We are pleased to note that since January 2009, the Plan Commission has closed more cases than it received in 10 of the 14 months. The 4 months we opened more cases than we closed were March (18), May (7), June (7), & September (3).

The following graph shows the cases closed by the Steuben County Plan Commission per month since January 2009.

BZA Results- March 8, 2010

SE-10-01 Kevin & Jennifer Wall - APPROVED as presented with conditions (5-0)
Special Exception Use for a mobile home in an Agricultural Zoning District
Conditions: The special exception shall be reviewed in five (5) years. As presented.
Notes: None.

V-10-08 Robert & Cathern VanLear - DENIED (0-5)
Lakefront setback of sixteen (16) feet rather than the twenty (20) feet required.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Post-construction. Because the variance was denied, the structure will have to be removed.

V-10-17 William & Constance Carroll - APPROVED with conditions (5-0)
Height of three (3) stories & thirty-four (34) feet eleven (11) inches rather than the two (2) stories the twenty-seven (27) feet allowed.
Conditions: 1) Working drain in the driveway along the Getz property designed to prevent runoff from the driveway onto the Getz property, 2) The tile along the Carroll/Getz property line shall drain to the lake, 3) Landscaping per the plan prepared by Millgrove Landscaping, & 4) Erosion control shall be installed prior to construction.
Notes: Post-construction.

V-10-18 Jean Hartman & Grabill Bank as Trustee of the Diane McAllister Family Credit Shelter Trust - APPROVED as presented (5-0)
Lakefront setback of eight (8) feet rather than the fifty (50) feet required.
Conditions: As presented.
Notes:Proposed structure with the eight (8) foot lakefront setback is a single-story addition on the western side of the home.

BZA Reminder- March 8, 2010

The Steuben County Board of Zoning Apeals will hold a hearing on Monday, March 8, 2010. The hearing will be located in the Multi-purpose Room of the Steuben Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN. and will begin at 7pm.

The agenda for the hearing is located earlier in this weblog or on the "Home Tab" of the Steuben County GIS site.

The hearing will be broadcast live on the internet and recorded for later viewing. (Technical issues may interfere with the broadcast.)

Stream videos at Ustream

Plan Commission Results- March 3, 2010

P-10-02 Phillip & Patricia Zabst - APPROVED (7-0)
Primary approval of a minor subdivision with two (2) lots on twenty (20) acres.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Plan Director will conduct secondary approval.

P-10-03 Jane Gates - APPROVED (7-0)
Primary approval for a minor subdivision with thre (3) lots on eighty (80) acres.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Plan Director will conduct secondary approval.

P-10-04 Grace Ingledue Trust - APPROVED (7-0)
Primary approval for a minor subdivision with one (1) lot on one and six-tenths (1.6) acres.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Plan Director will conduct secondary approval.

SE-10-01 Kevin & Jennifer Wall - APPROVED (7-0)
Special exception use for a mobile home in an agricultural zoning district. Special exception will not have a negative impact on the comprehensive plan.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Petition is forwarded to the Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals. (March 8, 2010)

Amendment to the Steuben County Plan Commission Rules of Procedure - APPROVED as presented (7-0)
Amendments include: addition of a code of conduct and ethics, changes to the agenda setting process, updates to language, & correction of grammatical errors
Conditions: As presented.
Notes: None.

Annual Report- 2009

The Steuben County 2009 Annual Report is now available on the internet for viewing and downloading.

The document is located in the "Home Tab" of the Steuben County GIS website.

It is also available at no cost by email. Contact the Steuben County Plan Commission to request a copy be sent to you.

BANI Newsletter- March 2010

A version of the following article appears in "The Higher Standard," the newsletter for the Builders Association of Northeast Indiana. www.ba-ni.com. (That article was shortened to allow it to fit in the available space.)

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With the daylight growing longer, the frost will be breaking soon, and a new building season will be upon us. The Steuben County Plan Commission is looking forward to this spring and wants to alert the builders of some very important upcoming changes.

As we all know, there were many changes between the old zoning ordinance and the new zoning ordinance adopted in 2008. For good or ill, the Plan Commission decided not to fully enforce all provisions of the new zoning ordinance. The rationale was that because of the number of changes, it would be less painful to enforce in stages rather than all at once.

Effective Monday, April 5, 2010, the Plan Commission will fully enforce Chapter 16. This chapter describes what information must be on a site plan, required for non-residential projects, and what information must be on a sketch plan, required for agricultural and residential projects. (A complete list of which plan, sketch or site plan, that different types of projects require can be found in Section 16.02 on page 16-1 of the Zoning Ordinance.)

Most sketch plans this office receives contain most, but not all, of the required information. Section 16.03 on page 16-2 of the Zoning Ordinance lists the required information. Here is a basic review of what the Plan Commission will be looking for on sketch plans:
• Name, address, & seal of the professional engineer or land surveyor who prepared the site/sketch plan
• The address of the property
• Photograph(s) of existing site conditions
• Property survey showing topography, existing structures, utilities, and floodplain elevation
• Property boundaries, including dimensions
• Net lot area (exclusive of road right-of way, easements, or submerged land)
• Building and impervious surface coverages
• Drawing scale and a north arrow
• Zoning of site and adjacent land
• Rights-of-way (with street name and classification labeled) and easements
• Drainage courses, floodplains, lakes, streams, and wetlands
• Required yards and setbacks
• Adjacent buildings, structures, or pavement within 100 feet of site, including buildings and decks on adjacent waterfront lots
• All existing and proposed structures or other site improvement with the dimensions of such improvements
• Height of all structures
• Distances from all proposed structures to the property lines
• Location of any existing or proposed septic field or grinder
• Well sites
• Location of any existing or proposed driveway and/or parking areas
• Fences or walls
• General grades on-site to determine positive drainage
• Flood hazard areas, including the finished floor elevation, base flood elevation, and flood protection grade for all structures

The Plan Commission is developing a sample sketch plan with all of the required information. We expect to have this available in the middle of March.

Starting Monday, April 5, the Plan Commission will not issue an Improvement Location Permit unless the site plan is complete. We understand that this will require more information up-front and may increase the cost of construction. However, these requirements are included in the Zoning Ordinance.

We believe that staff will be able to review applications more accurately and more quickly once this is implemented. It will reduce the amount of time spent at the counter and greatly reduce the number of errors and stop work orders resulting from incomplete information.

Plan Commission Reminder- March 3, 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission will hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. The hearing will be located in the Multi-purpose Room of the Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN. and will begin at 7pm.

The agenda for the hearing is located earlier in this weblog or on the "Home Tab" of the Steuben County GIS site.

The hearing will be broadcast live on the internet and recorded for later viewing. (Technical issues may interfere with the broadcast.)

Free live streaming by Ustream

Land-Use Video Seminar- March 1, 2010

The Steuben County Plan Commission and Steuben County Purdue Extension will host a Purdue Extension video seminar on Monday, March 1, 2010, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The topic for this seminar is “Board of Zoning Appeals in Depth.”

The interactive program will help new and experienced members, elected officials, and interested citizens understand how Boards of Zoning Appeals can and should function. The program will explore BZA duties, the decision-making process, appeals, methods to reduce the BZA's workload, and legislative updates.

The program is free and open to the public.

Presenters include Jamie Palmer, Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, and K.K. Gerhart-Fritz, the Planning Workshop.