Caleb and Casey Wear ask Jasper plan commission to rezone property for barn, stables and pastures

Caleb and Casey Wear asked the City of Jasper Plan Commission on July 1 to rezone their property at 801 South 400 West from Rural Residential (RR) to Agricultural (A1) so they can build a barn, stables, electric fencing and pastures for their horses.

The Wears told the commission their lot is wooded, slopes toward a pond and is bordered on multiple sides by agricultural land. "We want to construct a barn with electric fence and stables with a pasture and a riding area for our horses," Caleb Wear said, showing slides of the lot and nearby uses. He said the front yard offers the only viable build site because the backyard slopes to a pond and wooded area.

Commission members asked about notification of neighbors and whether pasture, grazing and electric fencing are permitted under the existing RR zoning. The Wears said neighbors had been mailed notices and were contacted directly; they also told the commission they had consulted a surveying firm and were advised they would need multiple variances to accomplish the project under RR, so rezoning to A1 was presented as the simpler option.

Commissioners noted adjacent properties include agricultural operations and observed the parcel sits on the outskirts of the residential area. One member raised a concern that rezoning could create an island of residential zoning surrounded by agricultural parcels; other members responded that existing neighboring uses already include barns and small-scale livestock operations.

After discussion, Commissioner Dana Schneer moved that the commission recommend approval of the rezoning to the City Council; the motion was seconded. The chair called the vote and the commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the City Council for a final decision.

The commission also approved the minutes from its April meeting earlier in the evening, heard a brief legal update and was told the city expects to unveil elements of the updated comprehensive plan at the August meeting. With no further business, members moved to close the public hearing and adjourn.

Next step: the City Council will consider the Wear rezoning request at a future meeting; no City Council date was provided at the Plan Commission meeting.