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Plan commission recommends rezoning to allow winery and wedding venue near Valparaiso, with conditions
Summary
The Porter County Plan Commission voted 7‑0 to recommend rezoning ZO2026‑8 to allow a winery and wedding venue at 294 E 600 N, subject to written commitments on parking, hours, noise and a limited set of allowable uses; staff scheduled the first reading before county commissioners.
The Porter County Plan Commission unanimously recommended that the county commissioners approve a zoning amendment to allow a winery and wedding venue on a 10.839‑acre property at 294 East 600 North (ZO2026‑8).
Applicant and property owner Diane Salzer told the commission she and co‑applicant Mike Tisma purchased the dilapidated farm in 2010, restored structures and opened their wedding venue in 2017 and their winery in 2021. "We opened up the winery in 2021 right after COVID lifted, and we're able to do so," Salzer said, noting the businesses have operated without complaints during the previous use‑variance period.
Staff told the commission the prior five‑year use variance is set to expire and that staff has no record of complaints during the variance term. Commissioners questioned hours of operation, parking capacity and enforcement, and security for larger events. The applicants said the winery operates Wednesday through Sunday, roughly 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with occasional later events, and estimated roughly 100 parking spaces on site.
Commissioners discussed and requested written commitments limiting certain future commercial uses and addressing impacts if the property were sold. Suggested conditions included: no parking on the county road; a requirement for police presence for larger crowds; noise limits (no loud music after 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and after 11 p.m. Friday–Saturday); and a list of allowable commercial uses limited to lower‑intensity activities (for example, banquet hall, farmer's market, photographic studio, plant nursery, recreation or play center, office general, and low‑intensity retail). Commissioners specifically proposed prohibiting exotic animals.
After discussing these conditions, Commissioner [speaker 4] moved and Commissioner [speaker 7] seconded a motion to recommend approval with the commitments. The clerk recorded a 7‑0 favorable recommendation to the county commissioners. Staff said the case would be on the county commissioners' calendar with an April 21 public meeting time noted for the first reading.
What happens next: The applicants will present their case to the county commissioners at the scheduled hearing; final rezoning and any permit approvals will be decided by the county commission during subsequent readings.
