Ferdinand Plan Commission Weighs Decisions Impacting Local Neighborhoods

At its February meeting, the Ferdinand Plan Commission confronted road funding hurdles, zoning updates, and questions surrounding a proposed cell tower site. 

A document drafted by Ken Sicard was presented to the Board, addressing concerns about unimproved platted streets, referred to as the “Wahl lots.” It included potential payment plan language for property owners to share costs of road improvements. Many platted streets are not in the town’s inventory, which prevents eligibility for Community Crossing Matching Grant (CCMG) funding. If they are not in the inventory, the town or property owners must fund improvements entirely. 

CCMG applications are also specific about start and stop locations, street names and mapping alignment with the state’s map are critical. The town could pay up-front for improvements and collect reimbursements from property owners under a payment plan, but the town must provide the match for CCMG applications. For unimproved platted streets that serve only one or two properties (low-traffic), the Board discussed relaxing street standards and possibly creating an internal rating/prioritization system to guide resource allocation. Some existing streets were historically accepted into inventory without meeting current standards, so the Board can craft ordinance language to allow lower standards for specific, low-use streets. 

Dubois Strong has contracted an outside company to help align zoning regulations across several local municipalities. The goal is to modernize zoning regulations, since current local regulations date back to the 1980s. They plan to explore allowances for alternative housing types like factory-built homes, container-based homes that are engineered and finished to look like traditional houses, and tiny homes/minimalist housing. This will create common, acceptable housing designs or standards that could be used consistently across the county to simplify permitting and encourage diverse housing options. 

Verizon expressed interest in constructing a cell tower at 879 East 1100 South, Blue Meadow Farms. The jurisdiction map was reviewed, discussing whether the proposed location falls within specified sections. The Board requested a definitive site plan or map from the applicant pinpointing the proposed tower location on the property and showing if it lies within the town’s jurisdictional boundary. 

If it is within the jurisdiction, the application would proceed to the Board of Zoning Appeals Additional safety and utility concerns were raised due to proximity to a major gas line. The Board noted the applicant should identify the exact placement of the gas line and any required setbacks or prohibitions. The materials received so far, latitude and longitude coordinates and inconsistent 911 addresses, were not sufficiently specific for the Board to act. 

In other business, the Stormwater Department reviewed the demolition and addition work at the high school. Since it falls within the small-exemption of the town’s stormwater ordinance, no further action is required. Additionally, Ferdinand’s Comprehensive plan is now in place. The Board may schedule a separate working session to develop the multi-year action plan. A rough action plan form exists, but the Board will need to set specific dates, time frames, and assignments. 
 
For more information on these and other updates, visit www.ferdinandindiana.org 

 - Drew Hasselbring