By Paula Pyzik Scott

A developer’s proposal for triplexes on N. Main St. and a request to combine two undeveloped lots in the Parkview subdivision were considered by the Bluffton Planning Commission in a public meeting on January 6.

The Planning Commission is currently made up of appointees Mitch Agner, Roger Edwards, Tim Essinger, Mayor Rich Johnson and council member Mitch Kingsley.

Also present were Zoning Board of Appeals members Tom Downey, Deron Geiser (not present, member Tony Pinks), as well as Village Administrator Jesse Blackburn and Assistant Village Administrator Bryan Lloyd.

Blackburn presented a preliminary site plan for a five triplex development around a pond (which has already been dug) at 721 N. Main St. Discussion focused on how the plan could be modified to fit R-III zoning requirements or PUD (Planned Unit Development) requirements, as well as what variances might be considered by the commission. The developer was not present.

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The owner of two lots in the Parkview subdivision is asking to have them replatted to combine the properties. Blackburn noted that the lots are already oversized as part of adjustments made to the second phase of the development. However, lots have previously been combined in Parkview. Blackburn suggested that a consistent response to such requests needed to be used within a development. 

Kingsley presented a written objection to the practice of combining residential lots, especially in a development that already has large lots. He discussed the impact of reducing the number of properties available for housing in Bluffton, including the loss of both income and property tax revenue and placing a greater burden on other residents to pay for longer stretches of utility infrastructure.

With Kingsley voting no, the commission approved the request to replat the properties.