This post at Brown County Matters.
Commissioner Meeting Notes, Aug 7, 2024
Request for a Zoning Change from Residential to Commercial. 2518 Lanham Ridge Rd. Note the change would be classified as “Spot Zoning” which is not considered a best practice within the planning community.
The property included an 8-bedroom lodge built in the 1930s when the property included 100 acres. It has consistently been zoned residential and used as an Airbnb and for short-term rentals. The septic system may be undersized and not up to code. There are additional complaints regarding violations of the county zoning ordinance. The Area Plan Commission (APC) unanimously recommended that the commissioners “reject” the request. The neighbors in the area are also opposed to a zoning change and stated there have been many noise, trespassing, and traffic-related problems.
Interim Commissioner Wolpert stated he spent time looking at the issues, visiting the property, was familiar with the area and that the property was a “jewel.” He further stated that a re-zone would support the vision of Brown County as a “premier tourist destination” …. “our business is tourism.” The commissioner voted unanimously to table the decision pending additional information, including the resolution on the status of outstanding issues.
Commentary “Our business”. We are a bedroom/retirement community. Tourism brings in about 12 million in taxable wages. All the residents filing tax returns in the county bring in (per the IRS) $550 million in taxable wages (AGI). The GDP in our surrounding counties is 29.5 billion. Our county GDP is 362 million. Over half of our land in owned by the government and non-profits and is not taxable. BUT, this fact is what attracts and retains residents!!!
County Comprehensive Planning. The County Comprehensive Plan should clearly identify what citizens want and do not want in terms of quality of life, cost of living, and development. The plan is required by statute to support zoning and zoning correlates to the sustainability of the tax base.
The county has started efforts to develop a new county comprehensive plan. Development and approval of the plan require public meetings and a final vote by the commissioners. This may be quite the battle that pits residents (bedroom/retirement community) against interests that see the potential for more commercial/tourism-related developments and possible higher-end residential developments Commercial development could include more tourist rentals and businesses that cater to tourists. This can attract more retail businesses that can serve residents.
ORV Ordinance. The county received a request from a resident to exclude ORVs on a road. To update the ordinance to include the county road (s) to be restricted, will require two meetings.
Tax Policy. The county tax policy of high-income and low property tax rates contributed to home/land prices that have priced those at low to moderate income levels out of the housing market. This impacts school enrollments (lack of younger demographic) with kids that have been consistently declining since 2008. it also contributes to less housing for those workers supporting the tourism industry.
Repeal—County Septic Ordinance. Commissioner Pittman raised the issue on the need to “repeal” the ordinance. He was not in support of the ordinance because it had too many requirements that exceeded what the state required. The Legislature later passed a change in the law that required the county to get approvals for any requirements that exceeded state standards.
Contract – Construction Manager. Commisioner Pittman and Wolpert signed a contract for services of a construction manager to help oversee construction-related projects in the county.
“Stellar. – 2026. ” The Stellar grant will not be available in 2025 but may be in 2026. Commissioner Sanders stated that he has met with state officials who informed him that any projects that affect utilities require a four-year lead time. This may impact any proposed project that may need to be “shovel-ready.” Sanders reinforced the importance of the County Comprehensive Plan to ensure that citizens have a voice in deciding the needed project and their respective priority regarding the future direction of the county.
Independent Voters of Brown County IN 