Tippecanoe County commissioners voted Dec. 1 to rezone the Sterling 27 property to R1B and to approve an associated commitment, despite vocal neighborhood concerns about flooding, traffic and potential annexation.

Petitioner attorney Ryan Munnon, representing Sterling 27 LLC (owned by the Day family), said the family purchased and operated the golf course and now seeks rezoning so the site can be redeveloped or sold. "They are looking to rezone to R 1 B now so that they can either redevelop the redevelop it themselves or sell to a third party," Munnon told the board, adding the course had operated at a loss for 11 years. He said drainage and traffic issues have been discussed with county staff and engineers and offered a potential emergency access through the development for Capilano residents as a subdivision-stage consideration.

During public comment, Ken Buchanan (3918 North 300 West) urged denial, citing changing floodplain boundaries, traffic backups on 300 West and concerns about wells, septic systems and loss of property value. "If you come to that area in mid to late afternoon, you cannot get out of the Meyer Menards parking lot... Traffic is backed up," Buchanan said, and asked for buffering if an access road is routed near homes.

Board members acknowledged the site’s complicated floodplain and told the petitioner that drainage and access must be resolved through the subdivision and drainage processes; several commissioners said that if those engineering issues cannot be addressed, development cannot proceed. After discussion and a roll-call-style confirmation, the ordinance to rezone Sterling 27 passed 3 to 0. The board separately approved the commitment that accompanies the rezoning by voice vote.

The approval authorizes the zoning change; specific subdivision, drainage and engineering approvals remain subject to later reviews and conditions.