By VICKI URBANIK

Advocating large-lot development instead of big subdivisions in the rural areas, two Liberty Township residents weighed in this week on a rezoning case in Washington Township.

At the request of the developer, the Porter County Commissioners agreed to downgrade the zoning, from residential to agricultural, for 80 acres at C.R. 500N and 400E. The request was made by Timothy and Helen Chupt.

When the matter came up at last month’s Porter County Plan Commission meeting, Timothy Chupt said the AG zoning would better protect the community, which is largely rural with homes on large lots. He intends to develop the property into 10-acre estate lots; if the property stayed zoned residential, he could have sought a much denser development of one-acre lots.

A concern for some plan commission members was that with AG zoning, Chupt would not have to follow the county’s subdivision control ordinance. AG zoning allows one house per 10 acres.

Speaking in support of the downgrade in zoning, Liberty Township resident Alan Hewitt told the commissioners that the county doesn’t give up total control over the development, since Chupt still needs to follow setbacks and other building rules.

Hewitt said he would be happier if land that’s now being farmed stayed that way. But if it is to be developed, he said it’s better to develop under the AG zoning rules requiring 10-acre lots.

Hewitt said some subdivisions now in the county have very small lots of 0.18 acre. Though Chupt would make much more money by cramming in more houses, Hewitt said a dense development isn’t in keeping with the rural character of the area.

He also raised a concern about the cost of dense developments to taxpayers. He noted that with the large lots, the county won’t have to accept and maintain a new road. He also said police protection costs less if there are fewer houses to protect.

Also speaking at the public hearing was Liberty Township resident John Rittel, who said the county should be encouraging more large-lot developments over the small-lot subdivisions.

Rittel, who is a Democrat candidate for North Porter County Commissioner against incumbent John Evans, said because of added development and congestion, his own road of C.R. 600N is like a race track.

“Right now, we’re getting so swamped with small-lot subdivisions,” he said.

Evans, along with Commissioner President Robert Harper and South County Commissioner Carole Knoblock, unanimously approved the AG zoning.

Evans noted that one concern for the plan commission dealt with drainage. He said he asked Drainage Board President Dave Burrus to review the case, and that Burrus returned with a very favorable report that found that drainage shouldn’t be a problem with the addition of eight lots.

Evans commended the Chupts for seeking the AG zoning and for committing to the 10-acre lots, saying that such a development will retain the large, roaming character of Washington Township.

Posted 6/6/2008