Plan Commission approves Habitat subdivision amendment, backs rezoning for drive‑thru and assigns new addresses

The Elkhart City Plan Commission on Jan. 6 approved an amended preliminary plat that will expand the Homer Avenue Subdivision by six lots, voted to recommend a rezoning of 2807 Gasopolis Street so a drive‑thru coffee shop can redevelop the parcel, and approved city addresses for newly annexed properties.

The commission’s unanimous vote on all three items moves the Habitat for Humanity proposal to the next engineering and plat‑approval steps, sends the rezoning to the full City Council with a positive recommendation, and confirms street addresses for the first phase of the Elkhart East annexation.

Eric Trotter, senior planning staff, told the commission the petitioner for the subdivision amendment is Habitat for Humanity of Elkhart County and that the request would increase the previously approved 10‑lot Homer Avenue Subdivision by six lots, bringing the total to 16 lots on about 5.89 acres including right of way. Trotter said the property is zoned R‑2 (single‑family) and that the proposed lots meet the district’s minimum lot area and setback requirements. He noted the west boundary is Manning Ditch and that all construction will be outside the required 75‑foot ditch setback; the petitioner is seeking permission for overflow into the ditch for stormwater. Trotter said approval from the Elkhart County Drainage Board had not been finalized at the time of the staff report and that the project still must complete the…