APC sends favorable recommendation to county council to rezone parcels near Fillmore and Larson for industrial use

The St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission voted to send a favorable recommendation to the St. Joseph County Council on a proposal to rezone parcels at and around 56120 and 56150 Lisonbee Boulevard, 30350 and 30400 Fillmore Road, and 56011 Snowberry Road from Agricultural to Industrial (APC 306925). The staff presentation said the parcels lie within the IEC (Industrial Expansion & Collaboration) overlay and are close to municipal sewer and water, making industrial use "the most desirable land use."

The rezoning matters because the parcels are adjacent to a developing industrial cluster that includes the future GM battery plant and planned supplier development. "If this were successfully rezoned to I industrial, the development standards and use prohibitions of the IEC Overlay District would automatically apply," Area Plan Commission Director Sean Klein said. Staff recommended forwarding the rezoning with a favorable recommendation to the county council.

Commission staff and the petitioner described planned near-term uses. Terry O'Brien, economic development planner, said the redevelopment commission acquired two of the properties in 2023 and that Lot 2 is expected to be transferred to NIPSCO; he said Lot 1 was put out to bid "and plan to, build a supplier part for businesses that will supply parts and inventory to General Motors." O'Brien added there is no purchase agreement in place for the other privately owned parcels but that owners were preparing properties for potential development.

Members of the public who spoke during the hearing urged caution. Cheryl Nicks of Clay Township opposed removal of an approximately 20-acre wooded parcel and asked that it be protected. Steve Francis and Dan Caruso, both Clay Township residents, expressed concern that rezoning parcels now would start a "domino effect" of agricultural land conversion and urged an unfavorable recommendation. O'Brien replied that the wooded area mentioned is south of the Kirk Concrete batch plant and that "this rezoning has nothing to do with that wooded area."

Klein and staff noted consistency with local planning documents. Staff cited the county comprehensive plan and IEC area management plan, saying the site is within the IEC core development area and that the proposed I Industrial District together with the IEC overlay would align with policies to encourage business expansion and job creation. The staff report also noted planned street dedication and subdivision work to support future industrial development.

Doctor Lauck moved to send the rezoning to the county council with a favorable recommendation; the motion was seconded and passed. The commission then certified the recommendation to the St. Joseph County Council for final action.

The record shows a mix of support from county staff and developers and opposition from neighboring residents concerned about loss of agricultural land and woods; the county council will decide whether to adopt the rezoning.

Less critical details: staff said two of the parcels are farmed, three contain single-family homes built between about 1890 and 1942, and required IEC overlay standards would impose additional landscaping, setbacks and use restrictions. No formal purchase agreements for the privately owned parcels were reported at the hearing.