Bartholomew County Plan Commission Meeting – April 8, 2026

The Bartholomew County Plan Commission met on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 123 Washington Street, Columbus, Indiana. The meeting included election of officers, approval of prior minutes, and public hearings on three subdivision requests. The commission also made annual appointments to the Plat Committee and liaisons to other commissions.

Election of Officers

• The commission elected officers for 2026: Tom Finke as President, John Prohaska as Vice President, and Arnold Haskell as Secretary. Motion carried unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the December 10, 2025 meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• SUB-26-7 McCord Minor Subdivision (2nd Replat): No public comments were offered.
• SUB-26-15 Troy & Dinah Staggs Minor Subdivision: Three residents spoke in opposition to the subdivision:
  • Lisa Hayes (61 Taylor Street, Hartsville) expressed concerns about traffic speed, lack of sidewalks, proximity to agricultural traffic, and the quality of housing proposed. She noted the town board had not formally agreed to waive the 10-foot additional right-of-way.
  • Derek Kelly (212 Taylor Street, Hartsville) described dangerous speeding on Taylor Street, a recent crash near his home, and concerns about drainage impacts on his property.
  • Steve Houston (390 East Jefferson Street, Hartsville) worried about fire safety due to narrow lot sizes and slow response times from the volunteer fire department.
• SUB-26-18 NorthPointe Major Subdivision: No public comments were offered.

Discussion Items

• SUB-26-7 McCord Minor Subdivision (2nd Replat): Request to create two new lots (total six lots plus parent tract) at 12650 West Becks Grove Road, Ohio Township. The subdivision triggers county subdivision control ordinance because it creates more than four buildable lots. Staff recommended improvements including a 2-foot stone shoulder along 890 feet of frontage. The applicant, Matt McCord, argued that the shoulder would be a safety hazard if discontinuous and that traffic had not increased historically. After discussion, the commission approved with a condition that the county may assist with gravel if the applicant pays for materials. The motion passed 8-0.
• SUB-26-15 Troy & Dinah Staggs Minor Subdivision: Request to create 7 new lots out of a 2.9-acre tract at 6161 North Taylor Street, Hartsville. The property straddles Hartsville (town) and county jurisdiction; Hartsville contracts with the county for planning services. Staff received late input from Hartsville indicating they have sewer capacity and do not require additional right-of-way. The town did not request road improvements. The commission debated its authority to impose conditions on Hartsville. The modification to waive the additional right-of-way was approved by voice vote. The overall subdivision was approved 7-1, with Arnold Haskell dissenting. Conditions included adding sewer easements and demolition of an existing barn (or variance) before plat recording.
• SUB-26-18 NorthPointe Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat: Request by Force Holdings LLC to create 28 lots on ~86 acres near US 31 and I-65, German Township. The development includes five phases, a new stoplight at Bear Lane and US 31, and three modifications. The commission approved all three modifications (access easement for Lot 1, dead-end street length up to 2,600 feet, and no on-street parking) by voice votes. The preliminary plat was approved 8-0 with conditions: provide Eastern Bartholomew water service letter, labeling corrections, add curb ramps at sidewalk ends, extend no-access notation across entire Lot 21 frontage, and allow removal of landscape buffer on Lots 1, 2, 10, 11. A future rezoning to align lot lines with zoning boundaries was noted.

Key Outcomes

• Election of Officers: Tom Finke (President), John Prohaska (Vice President), Arnold Haskell (Secretary) – unanimous.
• Consent Agenda: Minutes of December 10, 2025 approved.
• SUB-26-7 McCord: Approved with conditions (2-foot shoulder, county gravel assistance) – 8-0.
• SUB-26-15 Staggs: Modification for right-of-way waiver approved; overall subdivision approved – 7-1 (Arnold Haskell dissenting). Conditions: sewer easements, barn demolition or variance.
• SUB-26-18 NorthPointe: All three modifications approved; preliminary plat approved – 8-0. Conditions: water service letter, labeling corrections, curb ramps, no-access extension on Lot 21, optional buffer removal.
• Appointments: Plat Committee members: David Payne, Cindy Finkel, Tom Finke, Jeff Bergman (Planning Director), Stacey Gross (Highway), with alternates Melissa (Planning) and Danny Hollander (Highway). Liaison to Columbus Plan Commission: Tom Finke (continuing). Liaison to Hope Plan Commission: Cindy Finkel (continuing).