NOTICE OF HEARING FOR AREA PLAN COMMISSION 2/9/26
Notice is hereby given that the AREA PLAN COMMISSION will hold a Public Hearing in Conference Room 105 in the Wells Carnegie Government Annex, 223 W. Washington St., in the City of Bluffton, IN at 7:00 o’clock P.M. on the 5th day of March, 2026, for the purpose of reviewing and hearing comments on the petition(s) listed below.
- Request of Meadowlark Properties LLC, 265 E 800 N, Uniondale, IN 46791 for the purpose of a Rezoning.
Current Zoning: S-1
Proposed Zoning: B-3
Common Location: The subject property is located at US 224 west of SR 1, Ossian, Indiana. 46777
Brief Legal: The subject property is described as 2.72 acres located in SW/4 33-28N-12E in Jefferson Township of Wells County. - Request of Bluffton Family Apartments MM, LLC, 200 N Main Street, Oregon, WI 53575 for the purpose of a Major Subdivision.
Current Zoning: R-3
Proposed Major Subdivision: Bluffton Family Townhomes – 41 Lot Subdivision
Common Location: The subject property is located at the end of both W Central Street and W South Street, Bluffton, Indiana. 46714
Brief Legal: The subject property is described as 0.32 ac & 4.28 ac NE/4 5-26N-12E in Harrison Township of Wells County. - 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.
Wells County Area Plan Commission Members and Staff:
Tyson Brooks – Wells County Commissioner Appointment #1 (Alternate – Jeff Stringer) – Term: 1/1/2026-12/31/2026
Tim Rohr – Wells County Commissioner Appointment #2 (Alternate – Blake Gerber) – Term: 1/1/2026-12/31/2026
Vicki Andrews – Wells County Council Appointment (Alternate – Scott Elzey) – Term: 1/1/2025-12/31/2028
Bill Horan – Wells Count Extension Agent for Agriculture Appointment (No Alternate) – Term: Virtue of Office
Jarrod Hahn – Wells County Surveyor (No Alternate) – Term: Virtue of Office
Rick Elwell – Bluffton Common Council Appointment (Alternate – Blake Fiechter) – Term: 1/1/2026-12/31/2026
Glen Werling – Ossian Town Board Appointment (Alternate – Melissa Woodworth) – Term: 1/1/2026-12/31/2028
Michael Karafin – Poneto Town Board Appointment (Alternate – Paul Miller) – Term: 7/14/2025-12/31/2026
Geoff Lance – Uniondale Town Board Appointment (Alternate – Vacant) – Term: 1/1/2025-12/31/2027
Harry Baumgartner, Jr. – Vera Cruz Town Board Appointment (Alternate – Thomas Mulkey) – Term: 1/1/2026-12/31/2026
John Schuhmacher – Zanesville Town Board Appointment (Alternate – Barbara O’Connor) Term: 1/1/2025-12/31/2026
Michael Lautzenheiser, Jr. – Wells County Area Plan Commission – Term: Virtue of Office
Suzie Gentis – Wells County Area Plan Commission – Term: Virtue of Office
Tracey Ulmer – Wells County Area Plan Commission – Term: Virtue of Office
Tim Sipe – Attorney – Wells County Area Plan Commission – Term: 1/1/2026-12/31/2026
Dated this 9th day of February, 2026
WELLS COUNTY AREA
PLAN COMMISSION
Michael Lautzenheiser, Jr.,
Director
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