By DAVE SCHULTZ
A company’s bid to expand its operation in Craigville was favorably received by the Wells County Area Plan Commission Thursday evening.
Meyer Building LLC brought two items before the APC. The first one was a rezoning request that would make property at 2570 N. Main St. in Craigville all zoned I-1 (industrial). The land in question is currently zoned S-1 (suburban residential). The second request concerned expansion of a stone parking lot and a future proposed building on the site.
The proposal brought questions about drainage and about the wear and tear on the streets of the unincorporated village. In the end, however, the nine APC members present — Chandler Gerber, Jarrod Hahn, Bill Horan, Kiera Lance, Jerome Markley, Jeff Stringer, John Schuhmacher, Becky Stone-Smith, and Melissa Woodworth — voted to approve both requests. (Stringer was a substitute for Tim Rohr Thursday night, and Harry Baumgartner Jr. and Tyson Brooks were absent.)
The rezoning is a recommendation to the Wells County Commissioners, which has jurisdiction over Craigville. The APC’s approval recommendation also asks that a right of way for an undeveloped alley be vacated.
The approval of the development plan for the parking lot and the proposed building is dependent on the approval of the rezoning. If the rezoning is approved, the approval of the development plan is automatically put in place.
The APC also approved a request from Mark Surine to split off four acres for a homesite from a 20/3-acre minor subdivision. That property is at 531S-600W in Liberty Township near Markle.
In other business:
• Mike Lautzenheiser, the APC’s director, said the Lancaster Park improvements are moving forward and the Interurban Trail extension is expected to be rebid.
• A housing study update is planned.
• Mark Miller was present and said that his property at 6059S-Ind. 1 has been brought into compliance after being cited for excessive junk. Lautzenheiser will inspect the site to confirm what Miller said.
Thursday night’s meeting was held at the Wells County Public Library’s main branch on West Washington Street. The meeting was moved from the Wells Carnegie Government Annex because of the fire at 123 S. Marion St.
daves@news-banner.comº
