Vital Farms pulls application, citizens still attend mtg.
Wanda English
The Courthouse Annex was filled with people standing for the Plan Commission meeting Tuesday evening. Although those wearing green didn’t speak at the meeting, they let their presence be known.
The Commissioner’s Room at the Courthouse Annex , Versailles, was packed Tuesday night, April 1 when a silent majority spoke the loudest when they attended unified, wearing green shirts. They meant business – no fooling!
The Save Otter Creek Township group came out in full force to the meeting even after they had heard that Vital Farms, LLC, had pulled their application for a variance for farm acreage that would house thousands of chickens on a property near the Jennings County line. When the Ripley County Area Plan Commission announced the application had been rescinded for now, the group clapped. They said they would continue to work toward keeping Vital Farms and their farming practices out of the county.
The application that saw the most discussion was from David Stoltzfus, who was asking for a variance from the required width to depth ratio of 4:1 to permit a survey to divide property at 4312 W County Road 450 S, Versailles. This had been tabled from a previous meeting.
Mary Waller, who owns property next to Stoltzfus, spoke about concerns she had with the proximity to her property. She had a bad experience with these neighbors years ago with urine and manure from livestock of theirs. She presented another option that would move the proposed driveway to the east side of Stoltzfus’ greenhouses and alleviate the problem that she saw coming with the variance.
Michelle Yocum was also in attendance about the Stoltzfus property. She talked about her private water line that she felt their new endeavor could contaminate if they go forward. There were also questions about some future plans for the property, which they called Plan B.
Although Stoltzfus had already installed a culvert where he wanted to place the drive, in the end he agreed to move the project to the east side of the greenhouses, which satisfied the neighbors. They noted if any of the plans change, they will be back to the planning commission. The variance was granted with conditions.
Signarama represented Sunman Dearborn Schools asking for a variance for a new sign for the Sunman Elementary School to be 15’ instead of 6’and the size of 32 sq. ft. extended to 60 sg. Ft. This digital illuminated sign will replace an existing one, only it will be more visible. After verbiage in the application was amended, this passed without any problem.
Jessica Stirn requested a special exception so she could have a certified kitchen in her home at 13683 N Co Rd 400 E, Batesville. She explained that she is a small baker and this would enhance her business endeavors. It really had no impact on others and passed without delay.
Primary approval was given for an application from Douglas Haldeman for property at 8404 E Co Rd 1250 N, Sunman.
Dustin Payne, board member on the planning commission, asked about a parking situation in Osgood. He said the Town of Osgood had already signed off on the project on Maple Street but had people with concerns about the street parking. Attorney John Ertel noted some parking requirements are limited, and the commission should look at it. He said while they can’t undo what the Town has already signed off on, in the future it’s good for town governments to check with the county plan commission first. He said the county is working on a comprehensive plan. “I think it’s something we should talk about,” Ertel noted.
