By JONATHAN SNYDER
New parcels of land south of State Road 124, east of Meridian Road, north of County Road East 100 South, and west of South Adams Street were given a “do-pass” recommendation to be added to Bluffton’s Tax Increment Financing district in a resolution approved by the Wells County Area Plan Commission on Thursday.
Josh Hunt represented the Bluffton Redevelopment Commission, who approved the parcel additions in their meeting on April 2. Hunt clarified to the board that all the owners know about the change and can opt in to negotiations with the city if they choose. Hunt also stated this change will help the building and running of a future electric substation on Cherry Street.
“All this does is put property on a list,” City Attorney Tony Crowell said in a request for clarification. “If the (Bluffton) Redevelopment Commission wants to purchase property it must be on the Acquisition List. Being on the list doesn’t obligate the RDC or the property owner to buy or sell. It’s simply a statutory formality.”
Area Plan Commission Executive Director Mike Lautzenheiser said that the area is either zoned for industrial development or next to industrial zoned ground. Lautzenheiser also noted that the parcels connect with other TIF districts.
The matter will now pass to the Bluffton Common Council, who will decide on the matter in next Tuesday’s meeting.
The commission also took action on four junk accumulation violations. Cody Plagmann’s junk violation on 5926 North Main St. in Uniondale was cleared and the property is now to ordinance standards. Plagmann showed pictures of the property to the board and Lautzenheiser did not find any outstanding junk that needed to be cleared.
Lautzenheiser also announced plans to kick off development of individual community focus plans for Wells County as part of their Vision 2035 plan. A kickoff meeting and initial steering committee meeting is scheduled for next week, and public input will take place throughout the year.
Additionally, Lautzenheiser reported that three alleys for the downtown pathways project are almost complete. Lautzenheiser also said that the last part of the Interurban Trail project and phase two of the Lancaster Park project are scheduled to be completed later this year.
Lautzenheiser also announced that Wells County Trails has selected Isch Excavation out of Adams County to construct the Vera Cruz Paddlesports Launch site. A link to the 2023 housing and economic needs assessment study has been put on the APC’s website, with Lautzenheiser clarifying that outside developers have taken a growing interest in building apartment and multi-family housing in the area.
Also, a violation for Rodger Watson on 766 S 200 E in Bluffton was given a 90-day continuance. It is estimated that eight or nine non-operational cars are still on the property with 10 to 12 cars already moved, according to pictures sent to the APC office. A rainy April has hindered progress, but the remaining scrap metal will be put into a dumpster and a local junkyard will help remove the rest of the cars.
A 30-day continuance was given to 10017 S 200 W. Cody Miller is currently seeking to buy the property and is searching for a place to scrap two fiberglass boats in violation of the ordinance. Two trucks are also in violation of APC ordinances, but Miller plans to take those with him when he moves in the next couple of months.
APC member Geoff Lance and Miller discussed how long it would take for the junk could be cleared. Miller stated that there are no designated boat scrap yards near Bluffton, slowing the process. Lance and the APC stated that the Tonner Solid Waste Transfer Station could take the boats, but their guidelines do not clearly state if they accept or deny fiberglass.
Since other junk on the ground has been cleared since the initial 90-day continuance in January, according to Lautzenheiser, the APC decided to grant more time to Miller.
Denny Foss’ junk violation on 6010 S S.R. 1 in Bluffton was cleared and the property is now to ordinance standards. Foss showed pictures of the property to the APC and they agreed that the property looks good.
Melissa Woodworth’s substitute, Jeff Kemper, took her place at the meeting. All other members were present. Before closing the meeting, APC President Jerome Markley reminded the APC that they voted for the next meeting to be on June 13, deviating from the traditional first Thursday of the month date.
jonathan@news-banner.com
