Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals Meeting – August 24, 2026

The Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals met on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers, City Hall, Columbus, Indiana. The board considered one conditional use request for expansion of Otter Creek Golf Course, continued another item due to a public notice error, approved findings of fact for two previous cases, and approved the minutes of the June 22, 2026 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Darwin Crouch, a neighbor at the corner of 650 East and 25th Street, expressed concerns about overgrown weeds on the unmaintained portion of the golf course property along 650 East, noting that thistle and weeds were blowing onto her property. She also asked whether the expansion would affect her property taxes. The board directed the petitioners to address the weed concern and noted that tax impacts are not under their control.

Discussion Items

• BZA-26-61: Cleanouts & Cans (Conditional Use) – This item was continued (delayed) because of a public notice error. No further action taken.
• BZA-26-67: Otter Creek Golf Course (Conditional Use) – Petitioner Michael Clark (Dunlap & Company) and owner Bob Head (Architerra, LLC) presented a request to expand the existing golf course in the AG (Agriculture: General) zoning district. The proposal includes: relocating three holes from a flood-prone area (holes 12, 13 “Alcatraz,” and 14) to a 40-acre area to the west; constructing a new driving range parallel to County Road 50 North; adding a 13-hole short course and a pitch-and-putt course; building a new cart barn, pavilion, clubhouse (in the same footprint), and maintenance buildings. The abandoned three holes will be allowed to return to native woodland. The owner stated he has a good relationship with the adjacent western neighbor, Donna Brown, who is supportive. Staff noted that the zoning ordinance does not require a landscape buffer between like zoning districts (both AG). Board member Arnold Haskell asked about the staff’s earlier recommendation for a landscape barrier; staff clarified it was only a suggestion and not a requirement. The board discussed the criteria and moved to approve the conditional use.
• BZA-26-69: Otter Creek Golf Course (Development Standards Variance) – The variance request was withdrawn because, under the AG zoning district, accessory structures in a front yard are no longer required to meet that standard. No action taken.
• Findings of Fact: The board approved findings of fact for two previous cases: BZA-26-43 (Diego Arres Vega – Conditional Use) and BZA-26-45 (Bob Morrison – Development Standards Variance), both by unanimous voice vote.
• Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the June 22, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• BZA-26-67 (Otter Creek Conditional Use): Approved by a unanimous voice vote (motion by Arnold Haskell, seconded by Rodney Finke). The motion included a stipulation that no Type A landscape buffer is required. The expansion will proceed with construction expected to be largely complete by Thanksgiving 2026, with partial operations opening in late 2027 and full completion by 2028.
• BZA-26-61 (Cleanouts & Cans): Continued due to a public notice error; no action taken.
• BZA-26-69 (Variance): Deemed unnecessary; no action taken.
• Findings of Fact and Minutes: Approved unanimously.
• The board adjourned after conducting all business.