Commissioners adopt second reading creating Decatur County Revitalization Project Board; multiple rezoning petitions approved

The Board of Commissioners gave final action Oct. 6 to an ordinance creating the Decatur County Revitalization Project Board and approved a slate of rezoning petitions brought through the Decatur County Area Planning Commission.

Doug Westerfeld, area planner, presented the ordinance’s second reading. The ordinance cites Indiana Code chapter 36-1-3 to authorize the county to establish a Revitalization Project Board under the planning commission’s guidance and lists membership including planning staff, a county commissioner, a county council member, health department and highway representatives, the planning attorney, recorder, auditor and the Decatur County Area Planning Commission director. The ordinance incorporates prior county ordinances governing procedure by reference and takes effect immediately on passage.

Westerfeld then presented several petitions certified by the planning commission. The board approved petitions to rezone small parcels—ranging in the minutes from roughly 0.45 to 2.99 acres—for single-family residential use and a commercial rezoning for a gas station site on Highway 46. In several cases the planning commission attached conditions: for example, the Highway 46 site (petition 2025-18) was approved with a condition regarding a fence on the south end of the property and discussion of lighting and access; county staff said the planning commission would monitor completion of the fence as a condition. Commissioners voted to approve each petition by voice vote after staff and, in a few cases, brief public comment.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance: Decatur County Revitalization Project Board (second reading) — approved by voice vote. - Petition 2023-12 (rezoning ~2.99 acres A1→A2 for single-family detached) — approved by voice vote. - Petition 2024-19 (rezoning ~2.99 acres A1→A2 on NE 88) — approved by voice vote. - Petition 2024-18 (rezoning ~2.5 acres A1→A2) — approved by voice vote. - Petition 2024-23 (rezoning ~1.5 acres for single-family detached) — approved by voice vote. - Petition 2025-18 (GE Partnership LLC, 0.45 acres R2→B3 on Highway 46, Forest Gas Station) — approved by voice vote; planning commission attached a condition requiring a south-end fence and monitoring of lighting concerns.

Doug Westerfeld told the board the petitions had been vetted by the area planning commission and that notices and hearings were conducted; commissioners moved and seconded the motions and approved each petition by voice vote.

The board asked staff to follow up on conditions set by the area planning commission, including the fence and lighting at the Highway 46 site. Several petitions included written documentation and planning commission voting records in the file.

The ordinance establishing the revitalization board links planning authority and staff responsibilities and takes effect immediately.