Commission Forwards Favorable Recommendation to Rezone 550 S. 450 W. to Rural Residential

The Porter County Plan Commission voted to forward a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners to rezone a roughly 5‑acre parcel at 550 South 450 West from Greenway to Rural Residential (RR) to allow a single‑family residence (Case D0‑2025‑31).

Kevin Corros of Midland Associates, representing petitioner Sean Buffini, said soil borings are complete and that the proposed 5‑acre rezoning is the first procedural step before subdivision and site‑plan review. Staff noted the property had once been owned by a nonprofit conservation group, Waterfall USA, and explained that Greenway zoning typically allows residences only via a special‑use exception, whereas rezoning to RR is the more straightforward route.

Residents and commissioners raised historic drainage and flooding concerns related to surrounding ponds and ditches. Staff described prior work on roadside swales and culverts and said those technical issues would be addressed in later permit reviews. Commissioners discussed options, including conditions limiting accessory uses, and asked staff and the petitioner to continue coordination as the project moves through subdivision and permitting.

A motion to forward a favorable recommendation to the commissioners was made and carried with recorded votes in favor by Kevin Reitzky, Bob Gillian, Chris Henry, Pamela Mitchell Fisher and others; the commission recorded a 6‑0 vote. The matter will now proceed to the county commissioners for final action and any required site plans, sanitary reviews, and public hearings.