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Zoning board forwards favorable recommendation for home‑based carbide regrinding business to county council
Summary
The board voted unanimously to forward a favorable recommendation to the St. Joseph County Council for a special use allowing a small‑scale carbide‑tool regrinding business at 13091 Tyler Road, finding it consistent with agricultural surroundings and home‑occupation rules.
The Area Board of Zoning Appeals on Jan. 14 voted to send a favorable recommendation to the St. Joseph County Council for a special use that would allow a home‑based carbide tool manufacturing/regrinding business at 13091 Tyler Road.
Adia Smith of APC staff described the operation as small‑scale, using a computer numerical control (CNC) machine rather than heavy equipment, with anticipated traffic of roughly 2–4 customers per week. Staff recommended forwarding a favorable recommendation based on the barn’s long existence on the property, the proposed scale of activity and consistency with the comprehensive plan’s designation for intensive agriculture.
Petitioner Nathan Helmuth said the business would operate from a barn on the property and that delivery services such as UPS and FedEx would be used for dropoffs; he said some regrind work would be dropped off about once a week. In the hearing, staff and members clarified that home‑occupation special uses allow limited outside employees (up to two by ordinance).
Doctor Lauck moved that the board forward the petition with a favorable recommendation to county council; Donnie Ritzma seconded. The motion passed with all members voting yes. The board will issue written findings for the record before the county council considers the special use.
