Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Agricultural Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission advises pay‑lake applicant to seek conditional use from BZA, check state permits
Summary
A resident seeking to operate a pay lake on agricultural land was told to pursue a conditional‑use variance in the county (BZA) and to check state DNR permitting and insurance requirements for transporting and selling fish.
A resident seeking to open a pay lake (a small commercial fishing operation and farm market) asked what county permits or licenses would be required. Commissioners said the use is not specifically covered in the county ordinance but could qualify as a "rural business" in agricultural zoning and therefore be permitted via a conditional‑use variance; the applicant would need to present the proposal to the Board of Zoning Appeals for consideration.
Commissioners advised the resident to contact the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for state permits (transporting fish or selling minnows may require state licensing) and to obtain appropriate liability insurance. The commission identified past examples where rural businesses (saddle maker, farm market) were allowed by conditional use when they had no employees or fit an agricultural nexus. No formal county approval was granted at the meeting; staff directed the applicant to pursue DNR review and a conditional use application.
