Owen County planning commission recommends favorable rezoning for Mill Grove Bible Baptist Church

The Owen County Planning Commission voted to recommend that the county commissioners approve a rezoning request involving property associated with Mill Grove Bible Baptist Church on U.S. 231.

Planning staff told the commission that the applicant seeks a change so the property can be treated residentially for taxation and insurance purposes. An applicant representative said, “We’re wanting to rezone so we can pay taxes and do all the stuff we’re supposed to do residentially. Insurance and all the good stuff has to be done.”

Planning staff read statutory notice requirements and procedural rules from Indiana Code, including IC 36-7-6-604 and IC 5-3-1, explaining that the planning commission must hold a public hearing, provide notice and accept written objections filed before the hearing. Staff reported that no written objections had been filed and that no members of the public signed in to speak for or against the proposal at the commission hearing.

A commissioner moved to waive further staff action and make a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Daniel Browning and carried on a voice vote. The commission chair instructed the applicant that the matter will next be considered by the county commissioners; planning staff said the next commissioners meeting is the second Thursday of the month at 9 a.m.

The commission’s favorable recommendation does not itself change zoning. The recommendation will be considered by the Owen County Board of Commissioners at its next scheduled meeting, where the board may adopt, modify, or reject the recommendation. No written objections or formal conditions were recorded in the planning commission’s recommendation.