Elkhart County commissioners approve multiple rezoning requests, appropriations and an ordinance update

The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners on May 18 approved a series of land‑use and funding items, including three rezoning requests to change parcels from manufacturing or higher‑density residential categories to agricultural (A1), an amendment to a DPUD to allow additional signage, adoption of a zoning ordinance amendment regulating storage containers, and multiple highway and TIF funding actions.

Jason Alvis, the county zoning administrator, introduced the first three rezoning requests and told the Board that the Planning Commission had recommended approval. On the County Road 6 parcel at 19872, Alvis noted that “the zoning stays with the property regardless of the owner,” and property owner Corey White said he sought the M1‑to‑A1 change because the parcel’s highest and best use is residential and that rezoning would help future financing. Similar family‑use and 4‑H reasons were given by owners who spoke for two other A1 requests; all three rezoning motions were approved after public hearings with no remonstrators present.

Planning staff and the Board also approved a DPUD amendment at the corner of County Road 13 and County Road 30 to allow additional tenant‑identification signage. Danny Dean, Planning and Development, described the change as a modest addition to identify structures and occupants; the Plan Commission had supported the amendment and no opponents spoke at the county hearing.

Land director May Hope presented and the Board adopted changes to the county zoning ordinance that add standards for storage containers. Hope said the roughly one‑and‑a‑half pages of amendments would allow containers by right on A1 parcels of three acres or larger but impose setbacks, apply accessory‑structure standards, and require that logos on containers be concealed when used in residential areas. According to staff, the Plan Commission’s recommendation was recorded as a 2–7 vote; county staff nevertheless recommended approval and the Board voted to adopt the ordinance.

The Board approved two TIF contributions totaling $20,200 toward an $80,800 water‑model study for the Town of Middlebury, accepted a right‑of‑way dedication for Hideaway at Heritage Pines Phase One (added to the agenda), and authorized bookkeeping transfers to move landfill operating funds into a special projects fund to provide $75,000 to the Center for Community Justice, $75,000 to the Council on Aging, $100,000 to CAPS and $100,000 to Basher Home.

Highway department requests for locally funded bridge projects were also approved, including $300,000 for preliminary work on Bridge 407 (Cottage Avenue over Rock Run Creek in Goshen), $400,000 for right‑of‑way acquisition for Bridge 385, and $1.5 million from Motor Vehicle Highway restricted funds for construction of Bridge 347 (County 44 over Stoney Creek). The Board accepted a $1 million Community Crossings state match for 2026 paving and approved wheel‑tax appropriations for paving and for purchase of calcium chloride and road salt. One $2 million chip‑seal appropriation drawn from the motor vehicle highway (gas‑tax) fund was tabled because the state excise tax that funds that account had been suspended; commissioners said they would revisit that item when funding is restored.

All motions on the consent and business agenda were recorded as carrying unanimously; the transcript does not include a numeric roll call. Where a Plan Commission split or other dissent was noted in staff reports, the Board’s final action is reported here as adopted per the meeting record.

The Board adjourned after routine business and privilege of the floor.