Barcelona County Planning Commission Meeting - May 13, 2026

The Barcelona County Planning Commission met on May 13, 2026, to consider two items of new business. The meeting began with a brief delay to achieve quorum. Commissioners present: Greg, Cindy Finkel, Melissa Bagley, Tom Finky, Arnold Pascal. Staff present: Desiree Aldrich, Andre Snieto, Kyra Behrman (now Ardorith), and County Highway Engineer Danny Holder.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made in person during the public hearings. An email from John Hughes, a neighbor at 13125 East Legal Tender Road, was entered into the record for SUB2630. The email expressed concerns about driveway safety, traffic, and recent accidents on Legal Tender Road. The commission acknowledged the email but did not read it aloud; the petitioner was given an opportunity to respond.

Discussion Items

• PC 26-6 Force Holdings Rezoning: A request by Force Holdings LLC to rezone 1.11 acres from I2 Industrial General to CR Commercial Regional, located at the southwest corner of US 31 and I-65 in German Township. The rezoning is intended to align with an adjacent commercially zoned lot. Staff report by Desiree Aldrich noted the site is within the Development District and the Northern Gateway Plan, designated as commercial and industry. The public hearing was opened and closed with no comments. Motion to recommend approval to the county commissioners passed 5-0.
• SUB2630 Oakwood of Three RW States, Section Two, Six Replat: A request by Steve Combs and Robert Morrison to create one new lot (1.6 acres) along Legal Tender Road from a larger parcel (total ~4 acres). The property is zoned agriculture. Staff report by Andre Snieto provided a history of the Oakwood subdivision, noting that a previous approval for a similar replat in August 2025 had expired. The current request only involves a lot fronting Legal Tender Road, not a lot on Oakwood Drive. Concerns were raised about driveway sight distance near a curve, separation from existing driveways, and road conditions (pavement width 17 ft vs. required 22 ft; shoulder absent). The County Highway Engineer, Danny Holder, indicated a suitable driveway location was identified across from an existing drive. The petitioner, Robert Morrison, stated he had cleaned up the property and could not afford additional improvements like a shoulder or cul-de-sac completion. A motion was made to approve with conditions: completion of staff-recommended revisions and addition of a 6-foot gravel shoulder along the frontage of the new lot (lot 18) and lot 24E. The motion passed 5-0. The commission did not require completion of the Oakwood Drive cul-de-sac, as the current request does not increase traffic on that road. The approval is contingent on Board of Zoning Appeals approval for the driveway.

Key Outcomes

• PC 26-6: Approved 5-0 (recommendation to county commissioners).
• SUB2630: Approved 5-0 with conditions: (1) completion of staff-recommended revisions, (2) addition of a 6-foot gravel shoulder along the frontage of lot 18 and lot 24E, and (3) contingent on Board of Zoning Appeals approval for the driveway. No requirement for cul-de-sac completion.
• The meeting adjourned after a brief update on Jeff (not detailed in transcript).