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Board approves exception to convert barn into indoor youth training facility with conditions
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Summary
The commission approved Neil Likens’ request to convert an existing agricultural building into an indoor youth training facility (batting cages, turf) with conditions on hours, parking and permitting; neighbors’ concerns about notification and noise were discussed and the applicant emphasized indoor-only activities.
The Kosciusko County Planning Commission voted to allow a commercial recreation use in an agricultural district after considering a petition from Neil Likens to convert an existing barn into an indoor youth training facility.
The applicant described a plan for batting cages, turf work and technology-based hitting-analysis equipment, emphasizing the focus on youth programming. "It's gonna be designated for mainly youth," the applicant said, describing batting cages, pitching machines and systems that measure swing metrics. He said the facility would operate mainly in the afternoons and evenings and that activities would be inside only.
A neighboring property owner asked whether residents had been properly notified and whether hours or amplified music would create disturbance. The applicant responded that hours were planned for after school and that the facility would generally close by 10 p.m.: "We're gonna be designated open at 03:00 in the afternoon, and we will be closed by 10." He said there would be no sound system for concerts and that the facility would be insulated to limit noise of balls in the cages.
Planning staff noted the property meets parking requirements shown on the submitted map but that final permitting, drainage work and health-department review would still be required before building permits could be issued. Commissioners approved the exception on a motion, directing the applicant to continue working with staff on permits, drainage and any required health approvals.
The approval allows the owner to proceed with the commercial-recreation conversion subject to standard permitting and any county conditions that may follow from technical reviews.
