Area plan commission begins phased review of zoning ordinance changes, debates CAFOs, venues, shooting ranges, containers and permits

Kosciusko County planning staff presented the first tranche of proposed zoning ordinance amendments and led a wide‑ranging discussion about how the county should classify several uses, including confined feeding operations, wedding venues, shooting ranges, industrial processing, battery manufacturers, wineries and cargo containers.

Staff said the package focuses on “low hanging fruit” — clarifications and additions to Table A of permitted and exception uses across zoning districts. Key items discussed included:

- Confined feeding operations (CFO/CAFOs): Staff proposed adding combined/confined feeding operations and equine stables and training to the agricultural uses list. Commissioners and members of the public discussed whether listing confined feeding operations as a permitted agricultural use reduces local notice and hearing opportunities. Staff said the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) and the state permitting process already require public notice for large animal feeding operations and that counties historically have treated them as agricultural uses; a board member and other speakers urged greater transparency, suggesting two separate exception categories for…