Thursday, March 31, 2011

BZA Staff Report- April 11, 2011

The Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals Staff Reports are now available online.

You may view or download the April 11, 2011, Board of Zoning Appeals Staff Report from the Home Tab of the Steuben County GIS.

You may also contact Plan Commission Staff if you would like to have a pdf copy of the Staff Report emailed to you.

As always, copies of the report are available for review in the Plan Commission Office and at the Board of Zoning Appeals Hearing.

Plan Commission Staff Report- April 6, 2011

The Steuben County Plan Commission Staff Reports are now available online.

You may view or download the April 6, 2011, Plan Commission Staff Report from the Home Tab of the Steuben County GIS.

You may also contact Plan Commission Staff if you would like to have a pdf copy of the Staff Report emailed to you.

As always, copies of the report are available for review in the Plan Commission Office and at the Plan Commission Hearing.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Site Survey Reminder- March 31/April 1, 2011

The Steuben County Plan Commission will conduct a site survey on Thursday, March 31, 2011. The site survey begins at the Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN, parking lot at 8:00 am. Various locations will be visited.

The Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a site survey on Friday, April 1, 2011. 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.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Report of Collections- March 21/28, 2011


Following is the Steuben County Plan Commission Report of Collections for the period: March 21, 2011 - March 28, 2011. Collections are turned over to the Steuben County Auditor.

DESCRIPTIONTHIS PERIODYEAR TO DATE
Improvement Location Permits$550.00$2,855.00
Sign Location Permits$50.00$50.00
Fences/Retaining Walls$30.00$40.00
Special Meeting$0.00$0.00
Variance Applications$150.00$2,500.00
Special Exceptions$0.00$0.00
Zone Chane Applications$0.00$270.00
Vacations$0.00$0.00
Subdivision Applications$0.00$1,250.00
Planned Unit Developments$0.00$0.00
Legal Ads$10.00$170.00
Copying/Postage$50.00$800.30
Copy of Zoning Ordinance or Comprehensive Plan$0.00$15.00
Lake Map Directory$0.00$0.00
Fines$170.00$390.00
Abandoned/Junk Vehicles$0.00$0.00
TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED$1,010.00$8,340.30


Notes: Collections turned in on March 28, 2011. "Variance Application Fees" includes an Appeal of Decision fee.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Wayfinding Project

Those interested in learning more about the Steuben County Wayfinding Project can check out this website.

There will be several public meetings during the next three months. Stay tuned for more information as dates, times, and locations are set.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Job Opening Announcement

The Steuben County Plan Commission Office is seeking applicants for the following position: Field Code Enforcement Technician and/or Assistant Plan Director.

Full job descriptions are available for review in the Plan Commission Office at the address below or by email upon request.

Interested applicants should contact the Steuben County Plan Commission to obtain an application packet. Initial review of applications will begin on April 4, 2011.

Individuals who have recently applied for a position with the Plan Commission Office will be considered for the newly open position.

Steuben County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Plan Commission Office Hours

Due to recent staff turnover, the Steuben County Plan Commission Office may not be open to the public continuously from 8:00 am through 4:30 pm.

We highly recommend that you call ahead to make sure there is somebody in the office to assist you. 260 668.1000 x1600

We will work to ensure that the office is staffed and open to the public during the first and last two hours of the day.

We apologize for any inconvenience this might cause, and thank you for your patience as we hire and train new staff.

County Commissioners Results- March 21, 2011

The following items were heard by the Steuben County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Monday, March 21, 2011.

(Z-10-08) Ned & Judy Sullins - APPROVED
Zone change from Agriculture to Local Business for 1.97 acres with restrictions.
First Reading- March 21, 2011
Second Reading- March 21, 2011
Third Reading- March 21, 2011
1) The proposed use shall be connected to a sewer system. 2) The uses be limited to light commercial. 3) No fuel shall be sold on-site.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Subdivision Control Ordinance

The amended Steuben County Subdivision Control Ordinance, which will be effective on April 5, 2011, is now available online.

Click here to open it from the Steuben County website.

Click here to open it from the Steuben County GIS website's Home Tab.

The Subdivision Control Ordinance is also available as a pdf upon request. Send us an email or stop by the Plan Commission Office.

The Subdivision Control Ordinance is available as a hard copy from the Plan Commission Office for $15.

Plat Committee Openings- March 17, 2011

The Steuben County Plan Commission has openings for volunteers to serve on the Plat Committee.

The Plat Committee is a three to five member body which hears and approves minor subdivisions. The committee will meet on an as-needed basis throughout the month during business hours.

Appointments will be made at the Wednesday, April 6, 2011, Plan Commission meeting and will last through December 31, 2011.

Anybody interested in applying should contact the Plan Commission Office to receive an application. We kindly ask that applications be submitted no later than March 25, 2011.

The Plat Committee was recently created by an amendment to the Steuben County Zoning Ordinance. It will allow for quicker, more flexible, and less expensive review process for minor subdivisions while still protecting the due process rights of property owners. We are very excited about this change and believe it will better serve the community.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Board of Zoning Appeals - April 11, 2011

Notice is hereby given that the Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on April 11, 2011 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:



1. (V-11-12AB) Sue & Steve Boomer petition for two developmental-standard variances for a new home. Variances are for a road-front setback of twenty (20) feet rather than the twenty-five (25) required & a lakefront setback of twenty-one (21) feet rather than the traverse line required. Property is located at 260 LN 130B Lk George, Section 14 Jamestown Twp (Map# 76-03-14-240-106.000-006);

2. (V-11-13AB) Karl & Donna Augenbergs petition for two developmental-standard variances for a home addition. Variances are for a side-yard setback of two point seven (2.7) feet rather than the five (5) feet required & building-to-building setback of six point five (6.5) feet rather than the ten (10) feet required. Property is located at 275 LN 140 Little Otter Lk, Section 26 of Jamestown Twp (Map# 76-03-26-310-202.000-006);

3. (V-11-14) Robert & Susan Crankshaw petition for one developmental-standard variance for a home addition. Variance is for a lakefront setback of fifty-five (55) feet rather than the traverse line. Property is located at 355 LN 150 Jimmerson Lk, Section 5 of Pleasant Twp (Map# 76-06-05-230-106.000-011);

4. (AP-11-01) James & Janice Mies & Robert Eherenman petition to appeal a notice of violation that a deck does not comply with the zoning ordinance & a zoning determination that a non-conforming deck, once removed, cannot be re-established. Property is located at 6510 W South Lk Gage, Section 2 of Jackson Twp (Map# 76-05-02-220-102-000-005); &

5. (V-10-47) James & Janice Mies & Robert Eherenman petition to amend conditions of an approved developmental-standard variance for a deck. Conditions are that the reduced lakefront setback is for steps only. Property is located at 6510 W South Lk Gage, Section 2 of Jackson Twp (Map# 76-05-02-220-102.000-005).



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.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Plan Commission Agenda- April 6, 2011

Notice is hereby given that the Steuben County Plan Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 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:



1. (P-11-04) Allen & Jeanette Presley petition for primary approval of the minor subdivision “Fraley’s Subdivision.” The proposed minor subdivision will create one (1) lot measuring roughly six point four (6.4) acres. Property is located west of 5334 E Teegardin, Section 11 of Otsego Twp (Map# 76-10-11-000-013.000-009);

2. (P-11-05) Thomas Lerch & Debra Gundy petition for primary approval of the minor subdivision “County Road 600 North Addition, Section 1.” The proposed minor subdivision will create two (2) lots measuring roughly one (1) acre each. Property is located at 6030 N 300 W, Section 20 of Jamestown Twp (Map# 76-03-20-000-014.000-006);

3. (P-11-06) Thomas Lerch & Debra Gundy petition for primary approval of the minor subdivision “County Road 600 North Addition, Section 2.” The proposed minor subdivision will create two (2) lots measuring roughly one point four (1.4) acres & one (1) acre. Property is located at east of 6030 N 300 W, Section 21 of Jamestown Twp (Map# 76-03-21-000-007.000-006);

4. Appointments to the Lakes Advisory Board & Plat Committee;

5. Fee Schedule for Plan Commission services, including, but not limited to, the following: administrative divisions, subdivisions, fences & retaining walls, variances, special exceptions, appeals, & vacations;

6. (A-11-02) An amendment to the Steuben County Zoning Ordinance concerning livestock standards, developmental standards for specific uses, developmental standards for zoning districts, permitted uses for zoning districts, improvement location permit requirements, grammatical corrections, & others; &

7. (A-11-03) An amendment to the Steuben County Zoning Ordinance concerning sign standards & campground standards.



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.

Report of Collection- March 1/11, 2011


Following is the Steuben County Plan Commission Report of Collections for the period: March 1, 2011 to March 11, 2011. Collections are turned over to the Steuben County Auditor.

DESCRIPTIONThis PeriodYear To Date
Improvement Location Permits$475.00$1980.00
Sign Location Permits$0.00$0.00
Fences/Retaining Walls$0.00$10.00
Special Meeting$0.00$0.00
Variance Applications$800.00$1555.00
Special Exceptions$0.00$0.00
Zone Change Applications$0.00$270.00
Vacations$0.00$0.00
Subdivision Applications$400.00$550.00
Planned Unit Developments$0.00$0.00
Legal Ads$60.00$160.00
Copying/Postage$250.00$750.30
Copy of Zoning Ordinance or Comprehensive Plan$0.00$15.00
Lake Map Directory$0.00$0.00
Fines$0.00$70.00
Abandoned/Junk Vehicles$0.00$0.00
TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED$1985.00$6555.30


Notes: Report of Collections was submitted to the Auditor's Office on March 14, 2011

County Commissioners- March 21, 2011

The Steuben County Plan Commission has the following business before the Steuben County Board of Commissioners on Monday, March 21, 2011.

9:30 - 9:45 pm
Z-10-08 Ned & Judy Sullins.
Zone change from Agriculture to Local Business.

*Items may be heard slightly earlier or later than the above time.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Year-End Report (2010)

The Steuben County Plan Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals Year-End Report for 2010 is now available on the Home Tab of the Steuben County GIS.

It is also available for review in the Plan Commission Office or by email upon request.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Steuben Spring Expo- March 12, 2011

The Steuben County Plan Commission will participate in the Steuben Spring Expo 2011. We are excited about this opportunity to share information with and answer questions from the public.

The Spring Expo will be on Saturday, March 12, 2011, from 8:00am to 3:00pm. It will be held in the Angola Central Gym and the Steuben County Community Center just south of downtown Angola.

Our booth will be on the north side of the gym this year.

The Spring Expo is free to the public. Coffee and doughnuts will be served in the morning and food will available from 11:00am to 2:00pm. There will be hourly door prizes and grand prizes at the end of the day.

The Taste of Steuben, Heritage Skills, and youth tractor pull will take place again this year. New to the Spring Expo this year will cookie decorating for kids, an exotic bird exhibit, and Wii games.

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

Ordinance Amendment Meeting- March 14, 2011

The Steuben County Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinances are considered to be living documents. The Plan Commission has adopted a policy of reviewing them every year since the new ordinances were adopted in 2008. This annual review allows the ordinances to be improved and to adapt to changing conditions.

Areas needing attention are identified throughout the year by staff, Plan Commissioners, and County Board of Commissioners. The Plan Commission directs staff concerning which amendments to pursue and prepare. All amendments must be consistent with the County’s adopted Comprehensive Plan and Indiana and Federal laws.

Potential amendments are heard by the Plan Commission at a public hearing. Members of the public are able to comment on the proposed amendments. The Plan Commission forwards the proposed amendments to the County Board of Commissioners. That body conducts a public hearing and may adopt the proposed amendments or send them back to the Plan Commission for revision. The amendments may become effective immediately after approval by the County Board of Commissioners, or the effective date may be delayed.

To improve the process this year, Plan Commission staff have been and will be holding meetings to discuss the proposed amendments. These meetings are open to members of the public and Steuben County Officials, including Plan Commissioners & County Board of Commissioners. The intent is to gather greater input and prepare a better document for the Plan Commission to review at its meetings.

The next meeting to discuss the proposed zoning ordinance amendments will be on Monday, March 14, 2011, at 5:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the basement of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S Wayne, Angola, IN. For those unable to attend, the meeting will be broadcast and recorded on the Plan Commission’s Special Event Ustream page at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/steuben-county-plan-commission-special-events.

The topics for discussion will include campground standard amendments and sign standard amendments.

Anybody wishing to offer comments can attend the meeting, submit letters to Plan Commission staff, and attend the Plan Commission’s public hearing.

Please contact the Plan Commission Office with any further questions.
1 260.668.1000 X1600
plancommmission@steubencounty.com

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

BZA Results- March 7, 2011


V-11-10 Circle B RV Park Inc & David Benson -
APPROVED with conditions (5-0)

To operate a recreational marina in an environmental control zoning district where proposed use is neither a permitted nor a special exception use.
Conditions: 1) Marina for current seasonal campground use only. 2) Campground expansion of 15 or more sites requires BZA review.
Notes: Keck recused himself from this petition; alternate member DeMarco was seated.

V-11-11A David & Cynthia Streicher -
APPROVED (4-1)

Building-to-building setback of nine (9) feet rather than the ten (10) feet required.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Reduced setback is from the building to the west. Distance includes the overhangs.

V-11-11B David & Cynthia Streicher -
APPROVED as presented (4-1)

Side-yard setback of four point two (4.2) feet rather than the five (5) feet required.
Conditions: As presented.
Notes: Reduced setback is from the western property line. Distance includes the overhangs.

V-11-11C David & Cynthia Streicher -
DENIED (2-3)

Side-yard setback of three (3) feet rather than the five (5) feet required.
Conditions: As presented.
Notes: Reduced setback is from the eastern property line.



The following BZA members were present: Bandelier, Halsey, Keck, Schmidt, Smith, & DeMarco.


The BZA meeting was recorded. It is available for viewing at any time on the Steuben County Board of Zoning Appeals' ustream page.

March 7, 2011, BZA Meeting.

Monday, March 7, 2011

County Commissioners Results- March 7, 2011

The following items were heard by the Steuben County Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Monday, March 7, 2011.

(A-11-01) An Amendment to the Steuben County Subdivision Control Ordinance- APPROVED
Grammar, Minor Subdivision Review Process, & Structure.
First Reading- March 7, 2011
Second Reading- March 7, 2011
Third Reading- March 7, 2011
Effective Date of April 5, 2011.

(Z-11-05) Kirk Kohart/Tod Hicks- APPROVED
Zone change from General Business (GB) to Residence-1 (R-1) of two tracts of land on 325 W.
First Reading- March 7, 2011
Second Reading- March 7, 2011
Third Reading- March 7, 2011

(Z-11-06) Steuben County Plan Commission- APPROVED
Zone change from Agriculture (A) to Lake Residence (LR) of two tracts of land on West South Lk Gage.
First Reading- March 7, 2011
Second Reading- March 7, 2011
Third Reading- March 7, 2011

Saturday, March 5, 2011

BZA Reminder- March 7, 2011

The Steuben County Board of Zoning Apeals will hold public meeting on Monday, March 7, 2011.

The meeting will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room in the basement of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S. Wayne, Angola, IN and will begin at 7pm.

The agenda for the meeting is available as a weblog entry or as a pdf on the Home Tab of the Steuben County GIS website.

The staff report for the meeting is available as a pdf on the Home Tab of the Steuben County GIS website, as a hardcopy in the Plan Commission Office, or as a pdf email attachment upon request.

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

Stream videos at Ustream

Friday, March 4, 2011

Land-Use Video Seminar- March 7, 2011

The Steuben County Purdue Extension and the Steuben County Plan Commission will host a Purdue Extension video seminar on Monday, March 7, 2011, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The topic for this seminar is “Cost of Community Services Study.”

The interactive program will help participants compare the different local government service costs to the revenues collected to pay for those services. The costs and revenues are divided into residential, agricultural, and business sectors.

Developments of all types require services from the local government, such as: roads, drainage, schools, and fire and police protection. The revenues collected to pay for those services vary in Indiana by the type of development or use.

The program will include:
• Cost of Community Services Study for county government and school corporations.
• How alternate assumptions affect the results.
• Policy analysis for cost of community services.

Larry DeBoer, Purdue University Extension Economist, will be the speaker. The program is sponsored by the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning, the Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association, and the Indiana Farm Bureau.

The video seminar will take place in the Steuben County Purdue Extension conference room in the basement of the Steuben County Community Center, 317 S Wayne, Angola, IN. It is open to the public and free to attend, but space may be limited. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.

Please contact the Steuben County Plan Commission at 260 668.1000 x1600 or the Steuben County Purdue Extension at 260 668.1000 x1400 with any questions or to reserve your space.

Future programs will be held on June 16 and September 8.

County Commissioners- March 7, 2011

The Steuben County Plan Commission has the following business before the Steuben County Board of Commissioners on Monday, March 7, 2011.

1:50 - 2:00(ish) pm
A-11-01 An amendment to the Steuben County Subdivision Control Ordinance.
Z-11-05 Kohart/Hicks- Zone change from General Business to Residence-1.
Z-11-06 Steuben County Plan Commission- Zone change from Agriculture to Lake Residence.

*Items may be heard slightly earlier or later than the above time.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Plan Commission Results- March 2, 2011

P-11-03 Mark & Bridget Raab:
APPROVED (7-0)

Primary Approval of the minor subdivision "South 700 East Addition."
Conditions: None.
Notes: Secondary Approval is conducted by the Plan Director. Petition was originally scheduled for the February 2, 2011, Plan Commission meeting.

P-11-02 Derwood & Phyllis Anderson:
APPROVED (7-0)

Primary Approval of the minor subdivision "Colinas Del Lago Addition."
Conditions: None.
Notes: Secondary Approval is conducted by the Plan Director. The minor subdivision was signed-up as "Colinas Del Lego Addition" but will be amended to "Colinas Del Lago Addition."

Z-11-05 Kirk Kohart & Tod Hicks:
Forwarded with a FAVORABLE Recommendation (6-0-1)

Zone change of two tracts of land from General Business to Residence-1.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Petition is forwarded to the County Board of Commissioners. Crowl abstained.

Z-11-06 Steuben County Plan Commission:
Forwarded with a FAVORABLE Recommendation (6-0-1)

Zone change of two tracts of land from Agriculture to Lake Residence.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Property owner will combine the two parcels into a singe parcel following the zone change.

A-11-01 (Revised):
Forwarded with a FAVORABLE Recommendation (6-0-1)

An amendment to the Steuben County Subdivision Control Ordinance concerning the minor subdivision review process, grammatical corrections, structure of the ordinance, and other changes.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Amendment is forwarded to the County Board of Commissioners. Crowl abstained. This is a revision of the amendment which was heard by the Plan Commission in January 2011.

A-11-02:
NO ACTION

An amendment to the Steuben County Zoning Ordinance concerning sign standards, livestock standards, developmental standards for specific uses, permitted uses for zoning districts, improvement location permit requirements, grammatical corrections, and other changes.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Home occupations, accessory buildings, campgrounds, and sign standards were discussed. The annual ordinance amendment will be split into two parts with the first to be voted on at the April meeting and the second to be voted on when it is ready. Plan Commission Staff will host a meeting to further discuss campground and sign standards on Monday, March 14, 2011, at 5:00 pm in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Steuben County Community Center.

Fee Schedule for Plan Commission Services:
NO ACTION

A revision of the fee schedule for Plan Commission services, including, but not limited to: administrative divisions, subdivisions, fences & retaining walls, variances, special exceptions, appeals, and vacations.
Conditions: None.
Notes: Item was not heard by the Plan Commission. It will be scheduled for the April 6, 2011, meeting.



The following Plan Commissioners were present: Brooks, Crowl, Eickholtz, Gilbert, Hansen, Keck, & Schmidt.



The Plan Commission meeting was recorded in two parts. They are available for viewing at any time on the Steuben County Plan Commission's ustream page.

March 2, 2011, Plan Commission meeting: Part 1.
March 2, 2011, Plan Commission meeting: Part 2.

Report of Collections- February 15/23, 2011


Following is the Steuben County Plan Commission Report of Collections for the period: February 15, 2011, through February 23, 2011. Collections are turned over to the Steuben County Auditor.

DESCRIPTIONTHIS PERIODYEAR TO DATE
Improvement Location Permits$625.00$1,505.00
Sign Location Permits$0.00$0.00
Fences/Retaining Walls$0.00$10.00
Special Meeting$0.00$0.00
Variance Applications$0.00$1,550.00
Special Exceptions$0.00$0.00
Zone Chane Applications$0.00$270.00
Vacations$0.00$0.00
Subdivision Applications$200.00$550.00
Planned Unit Developments$0.00$0.00
Legal Ads$10.00$100.00
Copying/Postage$50.00$500.30
Copy of Zoning Ordinance or Comprehensive Plan$0.00$15.00
Lake Map Directory$0.00$0.00
Fines$0.00$70.00
Abandoned/Junk Vehicles$0.00$0.00
TOTAL AMOUNT COLLECTED$885.00$4,570.30


Notes: Collections turned in on March 1, 2010.