NOTICE OF HEARING FOR WELLS COUNTY AREA PLAN COMMISSION, WELLS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLUFFTON, TOWN COUNCIL OF OSSIAN, TOWN COUNCIL OF PONETO, TOWN COUNCIL OF UNIONDALE, TOWN COUNCIL OF VERA CRUZ, TOWN COUNCIL OF ZANESVILLE, AND TOWN COUNCIL OF MARKLE
8/14/2026
Notice is hereby given that the WELLS COUNTY AREA PLAN COMMISSION, WELLS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BLUFFTON, TOWN COUNCIL OF OSSIAN, TOWN COUNCIL OF PONETO, TOWN COUNCIL OF UNIONDALE, TOWN COUNCIL OF VERA CRUZ, TOWN COUNCIL OF ZANESVILLE, AND TOWN COUNCIL OF MARKLE will hold a Public Hearing in Lower Level Meeting Room in the Wells County Chamber and Visitors Center, 211 Water Street, in the City of Bluffton, IN at 6:00 o’clock P.M. on the 3rd day of September, 2026, for the purpose of reviewing and hearing comments regarding way to increase housing development in Wells County.
Geographic Area Affected: This affects all of Wells County, IN, including incorporated areas.
Subject Matter: During the meeting, we will review the specific parameters outlined under House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001. We will also review locally identified strategies to increase housing development.
Meeting Details and Agenda: Can be found at www.wellscounty.org/area-planning-commission/
Written Comments: Written comments regarding increasing housing development that are filed with the secretary of the Area Plan Commission will be heard at the public hearing.
Oral Comments: Oral comments regarding increasing housing development will be heard at the public hearing.
Continuation: The public hearing may be continued from time to time as 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
Erin Harvey – Wells County Extension Agent for Agriculture Appointment (No Alternate) – Term: 7/1/2026-12/31/2026
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 14th day of August, 2026
WELLS COUNTY AREA
PLAN COMMISSION
Michael Lautzenheiser, Jr.,
Director
oj, nb 8/20