The Starke County Plan Commission will be holding a public meeting and hearings this Wednesday, May 20th.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:30pm Central Time and will be held at the Knox Community Middle School Cafeteria.
Under the new business section of the agenda, the Plan Commission will hold the following public hearings:
- A public hearing in regards to Resolution 2026-PC-06, which would repeal the 2016 Permit Fee Schedule and adopt a new schedule of fees. After a review of the proposed adjustments to cover current departmental and administrative costs, the public will have a chance to comment. The board will hold a discussion, and with possible consensus may adopt and forward a recommendation to the Starke County Board of Commissioners.
- A public hearing in regards to Resolution 2026-PC-07, which will include a review of the process for assigning independent engineering and technical consultants, and establish cost responsibilities for the applicant. Again, after public comment, the board will hold discussion with possible consensus to adopt and forward the recommendation to the Commissioners.
- A public hearing in regards to Resolution 2026-PC-08, which makes amendments to zoning ordinances that concern fences. This hearing will feature a review of the updated developmental standards, placement, and heights for fencing.
- A public hearing in regards to Resolution 2026-PC-09, which would impose a moratorium on Carbon Capture and Sequestration infrastructure, or CCS development. The agenda states this is to allow the County to adequately study and draft comprehensive safety and zoning regulations.
- A public hearing in regards to Resolution 2026-PC-10, which is in regards to Commercial Solar Energy Systems, or CSES. This hearing will include the review of regulations that cover permitting procedures, setbacks, environmental and drainage protections, fire safety, road use agreements, and decommissioning requirements for CSES.
- A public hearing in regards to Resolution 2026-PC-11, which covers Battery Energy Storage Systems, or BESS. This hearing will review regulations such as fire suppression, emergency management coordination, containment, noise limits, setbacks, and decommissioning requirements for BESS facilities.
Each hearing will include sections for comments from the public, and discussion by board members. After each hearing there is the possibility of a consensus, with adoption and a favorable recommendation for each adopted ordinance being forwarded to the Starke County Commissioners.
Following these public hearings, there will be a section of the meeting for public comment and board comment before the meeting is adjourned.
All interested persons will have the opportunity to be heard at this meeting. Written statements may be submitted up to four hours prior to the meeting (so by 1:30pm Central Time on May 20th), and they will be included in the official record of the meeting.
