Hamilton County planning commission recommends rezoning Noblesville parcel from commercial to agricultural

The Hamilton County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the County Commissioners approve rezoning 16519 East State Road 38 in Noblesville from C-3 commercial to A-2S agricultural.

Petitioner Neil Newburger introduced the request, saying he bought the parcel about a year earlier with the intention of converting it from commercial zoning so he could build a family home and keep his retired father on the property. "I bought this plot of land a year ago... I was the only one with the intention to rezone it from commercial to something I could actually build a house on," Newburger said. He told the commission the property contains a small front house he described as about 1,000 square feet and that his plan is to build a house in the rear for his wife and two daughters while his father remains in the existing dwelling.

A neighboring resident, Charles Anderson of 16577 East State Road 38, spoke in support during the public hearing and said he favored the change from commercial to residential-agricultural uses. No speakers opposed the rezoning.

A motion to make a positive recommendation to the County Commissioners was moved and seconded; the commission approved the recommendation by voice vote. Commission members listed at the start of the meeting — Gary Duncan; Mark Hair Branch; Jamie Ruhlin; Jared Kekasula; Courtney Lockwood; Brad Bieber; and Ron Hall — were present and the vote was recorded as all in favor.

Planning staff told the petitioner the rezoning will be scheduled before the County Commissioners on October 13; after commissioners act on the rezoning the petitioner will pursue a development-standards variance before the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) to permit an accessory dwelling. Staff also said the petitioner will be notified by certified letter and that a sign will be posted on the property to notify neighbors of the pending actions.

Parcel information provided to the commission included parcel number 12-12-08-00-00-018 and the address 16519 East State Road 38, Noblesville. The petitioner described the planned use as owner-occupied family housing with small-scale hobby farming and said the existing front house would remain occupied by his retired father; he stated the property was not intended to become a rental.

No formal vote by the County Commissioners occurred at the meeting; the planning commission's action is a recommendation only. The next Planning Commission meeting was noted as scheduled for October 15.

The commission approved its prior meeting minutes and adjourned after the rezoning item.