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Whitley County commissioners approve rezoning, plats, contracts and move forward on 100 South plans
Summary
The Whitley County Board of Commissioners on May 4 approved a rezoning ordinance for a nearly 23‑acre site, signed off on three plats, approved a holding‑tank contract and a well exemption, accepted a three‑year auditor contract, and authorized plans for the 100 South reconstruction to go to bid pending RDC funding agreement.
The Whitley County Board of Commissioners met May 4 and approved a series of land‑use and administrative actions, including a rezoning request for a proposed storage development, three plats, a holding‑tank agreement and a well exemption, a three‑year auditor contract, and plans for the 100 South road reconstruction.
Planning Director Nathan Bilder told the board the rezoning case 26WREZ2 from AG to IPM (Industrial/Manufacturing) would cover "almost 23 acres" at the northwest corner of US 30 and 600 East and come with a unanimous favorable recommendation from the county Planning Commission. Bilder said the "intention, interim, short term, use would be for storage units," with a longer‑term plan for small industrial or commercial development. The board motioned to accept ordinance "20 26-05," and the motion carried by voice vote.
Bilder also presented three plats for approval. He described Blessed Acres as a two‑lot replat to separate a house lot from tillable acreage and to align lot lines around a pond and field; he said that parcel received primary approval from the Churubusco Plan Commission. Another two‑lot plat in Columbia City jurisdiction (referred to as "E edition") formerly owned by the Plews, and Jerry's Landing, a two‑lot division arising from a will, each received motions and voice votes to approve.
Health Director Scott Wagner presented a holding‑tank agreement staff recommended for approval. Wagner said the contract requires an annual site visit and pumping receipts, allows renewal, and "if the sewer becomes available, they have to connect." He added that a change in property ownership would require a new contract. The board approved the holding‑tank agreement by motion.
Wagner also presented a well exemption for a Stauff Road property where a deck addition would be closer to an existing well. Staff confirmed required paperwork was submitted and advised the board on practical limits for removing modern PVC wells; the board approved the exemption by voice vote.
County Engineer Bridal Allen presented plans to reconstruct 100 South from US 30 to 300 East, including widening the 300 East intersection to accommodate truck turns. Allen said crews would "demolish the whole road up to 2 feet and rebuild with 14 inches of stone and 6 inches of asphalt." Commissioners agreed to sign the plan cover sheet so the project can go to bid, but several board members stressed the county needs a funding agreement with the Redevelopment Commission before the county can accept construction bids or finalize work payments.
On finance and administration, the board approved a three‑year agreement with Dawson Consultant to complete the county cost allocation plan. Staff reported the firm recently completed Whitley County’s 2024 plan and will recover $43,716.42 in direct costs; commissioners noted a three‑year option would save roughly $2,100 over three years and includes a 30‑day termination clause, and they approved the three‑year arrangement by motion.
The commissioners also approved accounts payable and payroll, and they approved the minutes of the April 20, 2026 meeting. The chair opened the public‑comment period but no public speakers placed substantive items on the record. Commissioner Basinger reminded residents that election day was the following day. The chair adjourned the meeting.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance (rezoning 26WREZ2 / "20 26-05"): motion to accept carried by voice vote. - Blessed Acres plat (replat, 2 lots): approved by voice vote. - "E edition" plat (Columbia City jurisdiction): approved by voice vote. - Jerry’s Landing plat (2 lots): approved by voice vote. - Holding‑tank agreement (Health Dept.): approved by voice vote. - Well exemption (Stauff Road): approved by voice vote. - 100 South reconstruction plans: cover sheet approved for bidding; funding to be finalized with Redevelopment Commission before accepting bids. - Auditor contract (Dawson Consultant): three‑year agreement approved by voice vote. - Accounts payable and payroll: approved by voice vote. - Minutes (04/20/2026): approved by voice vote.
The board did not record roll‑call vote tallies in the transcript; motions were carried by voice vote where noted. The meeting was adjourned at the conclusion of public‑comment announcements.
