On 2nd try, plan commission OKs zoning amendments

An amendment to Wayne County’s zoning ordinance would limit the number of female dogs permitted at commercial breeding operations.

A restriction of 40 females age 1 or older was crucial to the zoning amendment resolution receiving a positive referral from the Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission during its Nov. 20 meeting. With five members of the nine-member board present, all five needed to support the resolution’s various changes to send the resolution to Wayne County’s commissioners with a positive recommendation.

Theresa Scruggs, however, initially voted against the resolution, citing the unlimited commercial breeding. 

“People in this county have a concern about the unlimited breeding operations,” Scruggs said. “I just don’t feel that that’s in the interest of the citizens of this county.”

Currently, boarding and breeding are both included under three kennel sizes — small, large and unlimited — facing the same regulations. The amendments separate boarding and breeding of animals into their own small, large and commercial sizes. Commercial boarding would be limited to 40 animals total, but the amendment did not limit commercial breeding. Scruggs said that’s not what had been previously discussed.

She moved that commercial breeding be limited to the 40 females age 1 or older, and her amendment passed 5-0. The entire resolution then passed 5-0, as well.

Commissioners will make the final decision whether the gamut of amendments are incorporated into the county zoning ordinance.

Another notable amendment would permit home-based vendor items to be sold at roadside stands. Those items would include baked goods, jams and jellies, candies, coffees, and more.

Also the minimum lot size for a new residence requiring a septic system would increase from 1 acre to 1 1/2 acres for one-family suburban residential, one-family residential and multiple-family residential districts. Existing residences would be grandfathered as in compliance.

The plan commission tabled a second resolution that would adopt a new flood damage prevention ordinance.

The ordinance that follows a template that the Indiana Department of Natural Resources prepared would replace the county’s current flood plain ordinance. Tweaks to the supplied template were sent to the DNR for approval, but the DNR had yet to respond prior to the meeting.