BOCC approves changes to multiple developments

Subject site and existing barn on-site.

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners gave the green light to several development projects in its Aug. 20 meeting including an expansion of a current Rural Activity Center (RAC) on U.S. 27; a revised Planned Unit Development Plan on State Road 326; and the addition of dormitories for students at the Chi Institute educational complex.

Fellowship RAC expansion at US 27 & NW 110th Avenue area 

The board voted 5-0 to approve a change in land use and zoning from rural land and general agriculture for an expansion of the current RAC at the intersection of U.S. 27, NW 110th Avenue and County Road 464B. Currently, a gas station/convenience store, a church and cemetery, and a feline rescue have operations at that intersection. The parcel is just over 34 acres and the request involved about 25 acres to be designated RAC. 

Meridian Holdings LLC, the owner and applicant, owned by the Del Zotto family, have proposed a feed store for the corner that will provide “seed, feed, fertilizer, fencing posts, tack, equestrian hay, hardware, farm irrigation & plumbing, garden & landscape supplies, and farm equipment” per the application materials. 

County staff recommended approval in its staff report on the application stating, “The proposed development looks to provide agriculture-related goods and services to the rural surrounding area, which will reduce drive time for residents in need of the supplies being sold, create new jobs to be filled, support the operation of farms and the rural nature of the area, and support the existing RAC.” 

One letter of support was from Horse Farms Forever. The letter stated in part, “Horse Farms Forever® supports the application… to expand the Fellowship Rural Activity Center (RAC) by 19.2 acres for a farm supply store because it accomplishes the main goal of the RACs to allow small, mixed-use commercial islands within the rural areas to help residents and businesses meet some of their daily needs and to reduce trips to the urban areas.”

The feed store would be built on the basic footprint of the current barn on the property, applicant attorney Austin Dailey stated. The Del Zottos live nearby, he said, and want the project to fit into the equine nature of the area.

“This is spot-on for an equestrian and rural area,” Dailey stated. “This location is perfect for this. This is what a RAC is intended to be and intended to accomplish.”

Adena Golf Club duplexes and townhomes approved

The board voted 4-0 to modify a previously approved PUD from 236 single-family and condo/villa homes to duplex and townhouse style residences at the Adena Golf Club project located on NE 70th Street between U.S. 441 and West Anthony Road. The PUD is on four parcels totaling just under 660 acres with a golf course, clubhouse and other amenities planned. 

Commissioner Kathy Bryant was absent from this vote due to election board responsibilities. 

The board discussion lasted nearly an hour and focused almost entirely on traffic issues on West Anthony Road and not on the change to the residential units.

Nearby residents Brian Donnelly and Amy Agricola support the project itself but addressed the board regarding current and future traffic conditions on West Anthony Road.

Donnelly said that road is currently “totally over capacity.” He asked instead for the completed PUD to omit access onto West Anthony Road and that access be constructed to the north on NW 95th Street, to the south onto SR 326 and to the west on U.S. 441. 

Agricola said the traffic study from 2010 was outdated.

Aerial Photograph

“There’s been a huge change from Recessionville to Boomville” since then, she said, and traffic has increased considerably in the 14 years since the study. Dump trucks are using West Anthony Road to haul dirt from the owner’s northern parcel to the construction area within Adena. With all the dump truck traffic recently, residents sometimes wait three light cycles at the West Anthony Road and SR 326 intersection, she said.

Commissioner Craig Curry visited the area himself and repeatedly asked for changes to the West Anthony Road use for construction vehicles. He requested that traffic to go through the SR 326 southern entrance. 

“It’s [West Anthony Road] being over-used, in my estimation,” he said. “I don’t care what the numbers say. When I go out there it looks one way and studies show another.” 

The board ultimately approved the PUD change with a stipulation in the developer’s agreement that the developer add a right turn lane addition to the SR 326 and West Anthony Road intersection and a new left turn lane at the entrance to the development on West Anthony Road. The board requested a six-month deadline to execute the new agreement. 

Chi Institute to add student dormitories

The TCVM Ltd Corporation, owners of the Chi Institute in Reddick, requested amendment to its 2017 special use permit to “expand an educational center in a general agriculture (A-1) zone” on a 39.61 acre parcel on County Road 318.

The staff report stated the facility is “a veterinary education center which includes areas for teaching, clinical rooms, warehouse, shipping, storage, administration, and parking. A solar array area is located on the northeastern portion of the site adjacent to the proposed eastern entrance to the site. A pasture area and equine barns are also onsite. The currently approved Special Use Permit allows for a maximum of 50 employees and 200 students.”

The change to the special use permit is for “A modified conceptual site plan … to move the 18,000 (square foot) student dormitories building from the northern portion of the parcel to the southwest portion of the property. Instead of one single building comprising the student dormitory facility, the relocated facility will consist of seven pre-fabricated modular dwellings that are 2,400 (square foot) each.” 

The application was approved on the consent agenda with no discussion or requests for public comment received.