NOTICE OF HEARING FOR AREA PLAN COMMISSION 11/10/2025
Notice is hereby given that the AREA PLAN COMMISSION will hold a Public Hearing in the Expo Hall at the Wells County 4H Park, 1250 4-H Park Rd., in the City of Bluffton, IN at 7:00 o’clock P.M. on the 4th day of December, 2025, for the purpose of reviewing and hearing comments on the petition(s) listed below.
1. Request of Trustees of Murray Missionary Church, 1117 N Washington St., Bluffton, IN 46714 for the purpose of a Development Plan.
Current Zoning: R-2
Proposed Development Plan: Proposed parking lot expansion.
Common Location: The subject property is located at 1117 N Washington St., Bluffton, Indiana. 46714
Brief Legal: The subject property is described as 3.33 acres SW/4 of 17-27-12E in Lancaster Township of Wells County.
2. Request of Poneto Baptist Church, 5819 S Grape St., Poneto, IN 46781 for the purpose of a Development Plan.
Current Zoning: R-1
Proposed Development Plan: Proposed new church building.
Common Location: The subject property is located at 5819 S Grape St. Poneto, Indiana. 46781
Brief Legal: The subject property is described as 0.314 acres SE/4 of 36-26N-11E in Liberty Township of Wells County.
3. Request of Wells County Area Plan Commission & City of Bluffton, 223 W Washington Street, Room 211, Bluffton, IN 46714 for the purpose of a Rezoning.
Current Zoning: I-1
Proposed Zoning: B-3
Common Location: The subject property is located at 1613 W Cherry, Bluffton, Indiana. 46714
Brief Legal: The subject property is described as 14.87 acres NW/4 of 5-26N-12E in Harrison Township of Wells County.
4. Request of Wells County Area Plan Commission, 223 W Washington Street, Room 211, Bluffton, IN 46714 for the purpose of Proposed amendments to the Wells County Zoning Ordinance.
Geographic Area Affected: This potential ordinance revision affects all of Wells County, IN including incorporated areas that are under the jurisdiction of the Area Plan Commission.
Subject Matter:
A. Wells County Zoning Ordinance Amendments
1) Create new General Regulations for Small & Structure-Mounted Solar Energy Facilities
2) Remove Medium Solar Energy Facilities
3) Amend Non-Participating Pre-Existing residence and non-participating property setbacks for Large Solar Energy Facilities
4) Amend the visual buffer requirement for Large Solar Energy Facilities
5) Update Solar Energy Facility definitions to use acreage instead of nameplate power rating, which differs between classifications
Examination of Proposal: The proposed amendments will be available for examination at the Wells County Area Plan Commission office located at 223 Washington St., Bluffton, Indiana 46714.
Written Objections: Written objections to the proposal that are filed with the secretary of the commission will be heard at the public hearing.
Oral Comment: Oral comments on the proposal will be at the public hearing.
Continuation: The public hearing can be continued from time to time as may be found necessary.
Dated this 7th day of November, 2025
WELLS COUNTY AREA
PLAN COMMISSION
Michael Lautzenheiser, Jr.,
Director
oj, nb 11/20
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