Scott County advisory panel recommends approval of 71-acre rezoning after public opposition

SCOTTSBURG, Ind. — The Scott County Advisory Plan Commission voted Tuesday to recommend that county commissioners approve rezoning case RZ0125, a request to change about 71 acres from agricultural to R‑1 residential, after a public hearing in which neighbors raised concerns about road safety, mailed notice and loss of farmland.

The motion — made and seconded during the evening meeting — passed in a roll-call vote, with six members voting yes and one member voting no. The commission’s recommendation is advisory; the county commissioners will take the final vote at a later meeting.

Attorney Jeff Rucker, who said he represents the applicant identified in meeting documents as “Brianna/Brianna Osborn Parish,” introduced the project and turned the presentation over to the presenter, who identified herself on the record as Mariana Osborne Parish. The applicant described conceptual plans for a subdivision with “roomy” lots — some up to about a half-acre — and said an initial phase could yield roughly 100 to 150 lots, depending on how much acreage the applicant elects to hold back. The applicant said they plan to reserve 15 to 20 acres from development.

“We have sewer, three‑phase electric, fiber optic, a 12‑inch water main and natural gas on‑site,” the presenter said, arguing those utilities make the site suited for residential use.

Neighbors and nearby landowners spoke against the rezoning during the public‑comment portion. Tanya Ritchie, who identified herself as part of Dana Sue Smith Farms LLC and said her family has farmed the parcel east of the subject property for more than 200 years, urged the commission to consider long‑term impacts. She cited an agricultural‑loss figure — “Indiana lost 345,682 acres of farmland between 2010 and 2022” — and asked the board to weigh whether additional development is necessary given other approved subdivisions in the area.

Theresa Smith, who said she lives directly adjacent to the site, told commissioners Craig Road is narrow and “not wide enough for farm equipment,” and questioned whether existing county roads and emergency services can handle more residential traffic. Sharon Schmittler said she was within 250 feet of the property but learned of the hearing through Facebook and neighbors; other speakers questioned whether all required certified notices were mailed.

On the notices question, staff told the commission that 14 addresses were mailed certified notices and that two written responses opposing the rezoning had been returned. Commission members noted the mailing list differed from a March 2024 hearing, when 18 names appeared on the prior list, and discussed how auditor‑office lists and applicant mailing steps are used in the notice process.

Commission discussion centered on balancing farmland conservation and county housing needs. Several members cited county growth and demographic data and said concentrating new housing where utilities already exist is a reason to recommend approval; one member voted no, saying concerns about nearby, underperforming subdivisions and potential lower‑quality housing counseled against support.

The commission’s recommendation will be transmitted to the Scott County Board of Commissioners for their consideration. The record shows the advisory panel provided some findings and discussion to accompany the recommendation; the county commissioners will receive those materials and decide whether to adopt, deny or modify the rezoning.

Meeting records show the hearing was recorded and broadcast. The advisory panel adjourned after the vote and noted possible follow‑up business at an upcoming meeting.

(Reporting note: the meeting transcript includes two slightly different name forms for the applicant: the attorney identified the applicant as “Brianna/Brianna Osborn Parish” in the record while the presenter introduced herself as “Mariana Osborne Parish.” The article reports both forms as they appear in the record rather than consolidating them.)