The Huntertown Town Council introduced ordinances 2021-014 and 2021-015 during their Dec. 6 meeting.

Because Council President Gary Grant and Council Member Mike Stamets were absent from the meeting, the council was unable to vote on passing the ordinances, lacking a two-thirds vote.

Ordinance 2021-014 states that Hunter’s Development, LLC filed Petition REZ-2021-0059 with the Allen County Department of Planning Services and the Allen County Plan Commission held a public hearing on the petition on Nov. 10.

After deliberation, the ACPC adopted Findings of Facts for the petition and resolved to recommend the 34.4 acres of real estate referenced in the petition be reclassified NC/Neighborhood Center.

The NC/Neighborhood Center rezoning would allow for commercial businesses to be placed in the area plotted.

Ordinance 2021-015 states that Hunter’s Development, LLC filed Petition REZ-2021-0060 with the ACDPS and that the ACPC held a public hearing on the petition on Nov. 10 and the ACPC adopted Findings of Fact for the petition.

The ACPC resolved to recommend the 37 acres of real estate referenced in the petition be reclassified as RI/Single Family Residential.

This would allow for additional housing to be built in the 37 acres plotted for RI/Single Family Residential.

The Hunter’s Development, LLC plot is located at the northeast corner of State Road 3 and West Gump Road. The site is south of Classic Heights Extended South and Classic Heights and west of Willow Run Section III. There is a total of 71.4 acres for total development.

There are no current plans for the commercial plots. The following businesses and organizations are restricted from the NC/Neighborhood Commercial zoning district:

1. Cigarette, tobacco, cigar store;

2. Correctional services facility;

3. Fraternity house;

4. Homeless/Emergency Shelter/Rescue Mission;

5. Massage Therapy;

6. Parking Area (off-site), parking area, parking structure;

7. Private Club; and

8. Tattoo Establishment

The council specifically requested that private clubs, massage therapy and tattoo establishments be restricted from opening in the NC/Neighborhood Commercial zoning district on Nov. 2. The other restrictions were self-imposed by the applicant from meeting with concerned community members.

During the Nov. 10 public hearing, several community members made remarks on the rezoning.

Chris Andrews said he was supportive of the residential portion but is concerned about the connection to existing streets and does not want apartments. Andrew Lebamoff said he wanted more information about the NC zoning portion and was concerned about subsidized housing. Jason Andrews said he was worried about children’s safety and Fox Campbell would prefer not to have a connection through the neighborhood. Michael and Erika Whedon are supportive of the connections to the neighborhoods and stated it would help the more than 600 homes in the area. The couple feels that no more homes are needed and schools are at capacity. They said assisted living or retirement development would be preferred and they would also prefer not to see drive-thru or fast food restaurants.

Council Member Mike Aker made the motion to introduce the ordinances that will be further discussed at the Dec. 20 meeting. Council Member Patricia Freck seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-0.