Franklin County Area Plan Commission discussed planned development at Michaela Farms in Oldenburg at its Aug. 10 meeting.

Benjamin Spandau explained Greenacres Michaela Farms, LLC purchased the farm property from the Sisters of St. Francis. The parcel was zoned Unit Development in 1995, but the development plan approval process was never completed and the UD zoning was abandoned. Greenacres wants to move forward with the UD plans.

Greenacres Foundation  is a Cincinnati-based non-profit offering educational opportunities in agriculture through the Michaela Farms property. Spandau, retained counsel for Greenacres, asked for one year to complete the development plan in consideration for renewing the UD zone designation.

APC president Bob Braun asked what age group is served by the organization. Spandau replied school-aged children from elementary through high school. Board member Ed Derickson inquired about the work planned for the site. Spandau replied an event space is planned to be built near a lake on the property and a greenhouse, but Greenacres would like to work more closely with the community to determine what is needed.

County surveyor and board member Rob Seig made a motion to give Greenacres a deadline of one year to submit a development plan for the Michaela Acres site.

Also discussed:
-The APC continued the review of zoning code revisions suggested by Derickson. Derickson suggested changing the conditional use for sales and storage of farm implements and supplies, which he suggested changing from a class two to a class three approval. Where a class two approval requires the review and stamp of the county's area planning executive director, a class three requires a public hearing before the board and notification of neighboring property owners. The APC agreed to the change. Regulations on mini-warehouses and self-storage, seasonal hunting lodges and welding shops received the same change.

Manufacture and storage of commercial-grade fireworks has been an area of concern to Derickson after the 2020 fireworks storage fire that claimed two lives. Derickson researched the topic and presented information from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and state fire marshal's office. Derickson asked his peers to review the documents for discussion at the September meeting.

Braun brought up changes to the prohibition of unlicensed and inoperable cars in a yard. Board member Patrick Bedel brought concerns the suggested change is too restrictive. The board agreed to discuss it further in September.