Commissioners deny Communities of Calusa single-family rezoning, 2-1

The Allen County Board of Commissioners voted 2-1 on April 24 to deny REZ-2026-0013, which would have rezoned 137.709 acres in Lafayette Township on Coverdale Road from A1/Agricultural to R1/Single-Family Residential to allow a 689-lot development. Michelle Wood, senior planner with the Allen County Department of Planning Services, told the board the petition received a 7-0 Do Pass recommendation from the Plan Commission and said the site has utilities, roads and other improvements in place.

Commissioner Therese M. Brown moved to deny the petition, saying the site was not appropriate for the proposed development. Brown stated that this was not the "right location." Commissioner Ronald W. Turpin opposed the denial, asserting the county must accommodate growth while balancing agricultural preservation. The motion passed with Richard E. Beck joining Brown in the majority and Turpin casting the lone dissent.