The Starke County Commissioners approved a rezoning request during their meeting Wednesday.
In a previous meeting, Starke County Zoning Administrator Mary Beever informed the commissioners of a petition the planning commission received to rezone acreage near San Pierre. Currently the area is zoned as residential. She added the request would rezone the area from residential to Ag zone ground.
In that meeting, Beever said the planning commission approved the request to rezone the location. She added the land is currently farm ground and has never had a home on the property.
At that time, commissioners Charles Chesak and Don Binkley both had concerns over the rezoning request. Chesak mentioned in past situations with rezoning land to Ag, solar panels are then able to be put in place. Chesak mentioned he attended a meeting in Railroad Township two years ago where he said the majority of individuals present were strongly against solar. He added the commissioners needed to make sure they protect the town of San Pierre.
In their meeting Wednesday, Commissioner Don Binkley stated after going out to look at the location of the rezoning request, he believes the commissioners should move forward with the approval.
Commissioner Mark Gourley made a motion to approve the rezoning request. Comissioner Binkley seconded that motion. The commissioners voted two to one in favor of the request with Commissioner Charles Chesek opposed.
