Zoning changes OK'd

The Jay County Planning Commission approved a zoning change in Noble Township to separate a house from its commercially-zoned neighbors.

Property owner Greg Sheffer requested that a 1.31 acre section of land located at 6676 East Ind. 26, Portland, have its zoning designation changed from commercial to ag/residential.

Sheffer owns about a 3 acre piece in that area, but wanted to separate the house at that location from the old Noble Township schoolhouse and garage in the western piece in case he chooses to sell the house in the future.

Jay/Portland Building and Planning Department director Bill Milligan said the septic system on the property is being used for all three buildings, but is located on the 1.31 acre piece.

Commission member Eric Pursifull questioned whether the septic system for that smaller piece could be replaced if the land was sold in the future, since the county has a 2 acre minimum requirement for septic systems.

Milligan said Jay County Health Department environmental officer Dave Houck said although the land is under the minimum, there is adequate room to replace it.

"There is room on the 1.31 to put a septic," Milligan said.

Sheffer said he plans to continue to use the garage on the larger tract to restore cars and that the schoolhouse is only being used by his aunt for storage.

When asked if there was any intention of his aunt, who owns some rental properties, turning the schoolhouse into an apartment complex, Sheffer said it was not likely.

"She has no intention of renting it out," he said. "There's no intention of that that I know of."

With no objection, the board approved the zoning change.

In other business Thursday, the planning commission:

•Was updated about two potential confined feeding operations planning to build in the county.

Milligan said he's been in contact with Hoosier Pride Farms LLC, Coldwater, which is planning to expand in Wabash Township. That company filed a notice of intent to build six chicken barns, an egg processing facility and wastewater lagoon.

Milligan, however, said he's received no information about Jay County Duck Farms LLC, which recently filed a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The company is planning to build four duck barns holding 12,600 ducks. He said the department will likely receive information about that project soon.[[In-content Ad]]