Plan commission approves two‑lot split of 20‑acre Bill Simmons Road parcel despite neighbor objection

The Morgan County Plan Commission voted July 14 to approve a two‑lot minor plat (MIP‑25‑04) that splits a roughly 20‑acre agricultural parcel on Bill Simmons Road in Ashland Township so the owner can build on the front lot and avoid a construction loan lien on the entire parcel.

Applicant Frank Brock Jr. told the commission he sought to “split the property into 2 pieces, so I can build on the front, and not have a lien against the entire property for the construction loan.” He said the parcel is nearly 3 acres for the new lot and plans include fencing or an electric fence to separate animals.

Neighbor Megan Cox spoke in opposition on behalf of nearby residents, saying they moved to the country to avoid close neighbors and that past conduct by the applicant’s dogs had caused concern. “We moved to the country to avoid having close neighbors, and the construction and the mess will kind of disturb all of that,” Cox said, adding that neighbors had experienced dogs chasing and biting people and that the applicant had used neighbors’ mailing addresses.

Brock responded during rebuttal that he was unaware of any animal‑control incidents and that he has lived at the property since 2019 without complaints. He told the commission he plans to build and intends to fence the property.

Commission staff closed the public portion, a commissioner moved to approve MIP‑25‑04, and the motion carried by voice vote; no roll‑call vote or conditions were recorded in the transcript.

The applicant referenced county requirements during his remarks, saying the minimum lot size in Morgan County for agricultural to build a house is 2 acres and that the proposed lot is nearly 3 acres.

Commissioners did not record additional conditions in the meeting minutes included in the transcript.