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Planning commission recommends rezoning 23-acre parcel at US 30 and 600 E for storage facility
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Summary
The Whitley County Planning Commission on April 15 recommended rezoning about 23 acres at the northwest corner of US 30 and 600 East from agricultural to IPM (Industrial Park Manufacturing) to allow a proposed self-storage facility by Care Storage LLC; the motion passed in a roll-call vote.
The Whitley County Planning Commission voted April 15 to issue a favorable recommendation to rezone roughly 23 acres at the northwest corner of U.S. 30 and 600 East from agricultural (AG) to Industrial Park Manufacturing (IPM), clearing the way for a proposed self-storage development by Care Storage LLC.
Nathan, county planning staff, told commissioners the parcel (addressed in the record as 2380 South 600 East) sits within the comprehensive plan’s employment-center designation and that utilities — sewer along the east side and water along the south side of US 30 — are accessible, though water routing to the site could be the most difficult utility consideration. He described soils and drainage features on the property and said while self-storage is permitted under IPM, it would be narrower under AG and therefore the rezoning aligns with the county’s land-use map.
Brian Shoppe, the applicant and owner of Care Storage LLC, said the near-term plan is a self-storage facility and that he might later work with a developer to build flex space for small businesses. “Probably within the next three years,” he said when asked about a planning timeframe.
Chair opened public comment for the petition and recorded no speakers before the commission moved forward. A commissioner moved to recommend the rezoning; the motion was seconded and the commission took a roll-call vote. The motion passed; the chair announced the favorable recommendation to be forwarded to the county commissioners for final action.
Why it matters: rewiring the parcel from AG to IPM would allow warehouse-style uses — including mini-storage — that are not broadly permitted in agricultural zoning. Staff said the requested change generally fits the county’s employment-center guidance but noted some parts of the parcel have poorer soils and drainage constraints that could affect buildable area.
What’s next: the favorable recommendation will be sent to the county commissioners for consideration at a future meeting. Planning staff said they will remain available to answer questions from the commissioners and the public as the matter moves forward.
