Planning commission approves several rezoning requests and plats; James Drive rezoning draws neighborhood objections

The Kokomo City Planning Commission approved a bundle of zoning and subdivision items at its March 2025 meeting, forwarding several rezoning requests to the Kokomo Common Council and granting final plat approvals for two subdivisions.

The commission voted to recommend approval of rezoning at 321 East Taylor (Delray Investments LLC) from OC (office commercial) to R‑5 (high density urban residential) and to recommend approval of rezoning at 706 West Jefferson (Kokomo Market LLC / Youssef Joseph Yildiz) from R‑3 (medium density residential) to NC (neighborhood commercial) to allow a local butcher shop. Both items were presented by staff as consistent with the City of Kokomo comprehensive plan and the commission approved them by voice vote.

A contested rezoning request at 501 James Drive (LFN95 LLC) to change from R‑3 to C‑1 (small‑to‑medium scale general commercial) to permit a drive‑through convenience store prompted the most public turnout. Engineering consultant Tory Trift and residents testified about the site’s history and technical constraints. Multiple neighbors said the parcel is smaller than the city’s typical commercial parcel size, cited standing water and a small drainage line behind properties, and warned of pedestrian safety issues where children cross James Drive to Maple Crest School. One resident, Matthew Harrington, cited city ordinance 62‑79, section 3.34 and said the lot measures about 0.21 acres (roughly 9,200 square feet), below the 10,000‑square‑foot threshold mentioned in public comment. The commission approved the rezoning on a roll call vote, 5–3: Miss Barker (Aye); Miss Durham (Aye); Miss Stover (Nay); Mr. Graves (Aye); Miss Jefferson (Nay); Mr. Griggie (Aye); Mr. Pate (Aye); Mr. Besser (Aye). (Commissioner Rule was absent.)

The commission also approved the final plat and infrastructure plan for Melody Farms (Mark Bridwell / Indiana LLC), a residential subdivision between East Alto Road and Center Road. Applicant Keith Gilson of Stepford and Associates said Section 1 includes 124 lots on 46 acres; drainage board approval and engineering comments were reported as addressed. Public comment focused on drainage; the applicant’s engineer explained the project will include detention and that approved release rates are limited to 0.3 cubic feet per second (CFS) per acre as allowed by the drainage board.

Separately, the commission approved the primary and final plat for Sandor Bypass Subdivision (P17P24) which subdivides the parcel near Hobby Lobby into two tax parcels, creating a separate lot for Chick‑fil‑A; the subsequent development plan for Chick‑fil‑A was also approved (see separate story). The planning director noted that written findings are required either way under the development plan rules and that staff will sign the findings.

Other business: the commission approved claims totaling $28,205.06 and then adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- PO4Z25 (Delray Investments LLC), 321 East Taylor — rezoning from OC to R‑5: Recommended to Council; voice vote, motion carried. - PO5Z25 (Youssef Joseph Yildiz / Kokomo Market LLC), 706 West Jefferson — rezoning from R‑3 to NC (neighborhood commercial) to operate a butcher/meat market: Recommended to Council; voice vote, motion carried. - PO6Z25 (LFN95 LLC), 501 James Drive — rezoning from R‑3 to C‑1 for a drive‑through convenience store: Approved by the planning commission, roll call 5–3 (Barker, Durham, Graves, Griggie, Pate, Besser = yes; Stover, Jefferson = no; Rule absent). - P01P25 (Melody Farms final plat) — final plat approval for 124 lots on 46 acres: Approved. - P17P24 (Sandor Bypass primary/final plat) — parcel subdivision west of Hobby Lobby: Approved. - PO6A24 (Chick‑fil‑A development plan, 1014 South Reed) — approved (see separate article). - Claims: $28,205.06 — approved.

The commission’s minutes state staff recommended favorable findings for several items on the basis of comprehensive plan maps and zoning intent; where staff or residents raised technical issues (drainage release rates, lot area or potential environmental concerns from former gas station use), the commission’s recorded action either approved the item or forwarded it with a recommendation to the Kokomo Common Council.