Elkhart City Plan Commission adopts rules of procedure and approves city addressing updates

The Elkhart City Plan Commission on June 1 adopted a formal Rules of Procedure that spells out membership, officers and duties, meeting conduct, roll-call voting requirements, public hearing order and notice and filing procedures, and it approved addressing updates for several residential, commercial and industrial parcels including lots in the Boulder Run subdivision.

Planning staffer Mr. Troder introduced the draft, saying the board lacked a written procedure and that adoption was timely given changes in the city’s new Unified Development Ordinance. "This board is one of the last that I serve that did not have a rules of procedure," he said, then summarized articles on membership (citing Indiana Code), election of officers, terms, meetings and how petitions are handled.

Commissioners asked whether routine items such as approval of the agenda or minutes would require a roll-call vote; Mr. Troder said roll call applies to actions the commission takes and that notices may be handled by role in routine cases. One commissioner raised questions about appointment sources and residency requirements for members; planning attorney Maggie Marinoa said the draft reflects current practice and that spelling out code references aids clarity.

Miss Lawson moved to adopt the Rules of Procedure and Mr. Jones seconded. A roll-call vote recorded unanimous "yes" votes from Lawson, Newell, Jones, Osborne, Murray and Schaefer; commissioners then signed the document as a part of adoption.

The commission also considered addressing petition 26-SIO-5 covering residential addressing, Boulder Run subdivision lots nearing completion, commercial addressing for a new service in an easement, and an industrial building. Miss Lawson moved to approve the addressing as presented, Mr. Newell seconded, and a roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.

With no further business the commission adjourned.