Warrick County BZA approves Mission First special use with 18-month completion condition

The Warrick County Board of Zoning Appeals on July 17 approved Special Use BZA-SU-25-14, allowing Mission First Inc. to develop a private recreational area on about 90 acres along West Dittney Hill Road, subject to required permits and an 18-month completion condition.

The approval came after applicant Daniel Barr, president of Mission First, told the board the organization had secured full funding and expected construction to be finished within the requested 18-month timeframe. "We're planning to open in 2027," Barr said. He said the organization had secured $8.5 million in funding and engaged about 50 veterans in property preparation.

The board's approval included standard findings and a list of conditions read into the record: compliance with the Warrick County Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, all required public utility easements and facilities to be in place, required improvement location and building permits obtained, required state permits obtained, a commercial site review before issuance of permits, and that the special-use development be completed within 18 months of approval.

Barr described planned year-round programming for veterans and said group activities would occur at least once a week. He also described a 3.5-acre lake on the property that will host events such as a kids' fishing tournament for veterans' children. Barr said a general contractor, Albert Spenler, has committed to meeting the proposed construction timeline; Gary Eichner has completed initial ground stabilization work.

Board members asked clarifying questions about schedule and frequency of activities. When asked whether the site would operate year-round, Barr said, "Year round. Yes. Absolutely." On activity frequency he said, "There will be people out there once a week. Once a week, we will have group activities that will go on." The applicant also said construction would pause during firearms seasons to avoid safety concerns.

No remonstrators appeared at the hearing. A motion to approve the special use with the 18-month performance condition was made and seconded; the board voted to approve the request and the chair announced that the motion carried.

The approval allows Mission First to proceed to secure required permits and complete commercial site review and state approvals before occupancy and program operations begin. The board record also notes that state septic approval has been received and the applicant is coordinating remaining septic and health board items.

Next steps cited by the applicant include obtaining remaining permits, continuing construction work through the contractor, and completing the site build-out within the 18-month window specified by the BZA.