Area Plan Commission, July 21, 2026
Approves Rezoning at Toledo Avenue / McKinley Highway (S&H Auto) - unfavorable recommendation, 7-0
What happened
The St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission sent the rezoning of 50755 Portage Road (APC 3091-26, Crown Investments LLC/JBL Signs and Lighting) to the County Council with a FAVORABLE recommendation (7-0) for a contractor yard, over staff's unfavorable recommendation.
- Jurisdiction
- St. Joseph County, IN
- Governing body
- Final authority
- Date
- July 21, 2026
- Decisions
- 6 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved, 7-0
Projects in this meeting (2)
Each is its own project; some span multiple hearingsS&H Auto Parking Lot
Approved 6-1For 50755 Portage Road contractor yard
Awaiting final voteFree sample: decision 1 of 6
Rezoning at Toledo Avenue / McKinley Highway (S&H Auto) - unfavorable recommendation
Commission voted to send a rezoning from residential (R single family) to C commercial district for a parcel used as an employee/service-vehicle parking lot for S&H Auto to the St. Joseph County Council with an UNFAVORABLE recommendation. Petitioner VHN Investments (S&H Auto), owner Tom Hagen. If sent favorably, staff recommended written commitments to not allow commercial buildings on the site and to prohibit access from Toledo Avenue. Roll call 7-0 (England, Matzak, Tavernier, Lopp, Dieter, Devon, Moffitt all yes).
- written commitment to not allow commercial buildings on the site
- prohibit access from Toledo Avenue
The other decisions are listed below by title. The full write-up, verbatim conditions, and the audio at each vote are in Pro.
Meeting Summary
The St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission sent the rezoning of 50755 Portage Road (APC 3091-26, Crown Investments LLC/JBL Signs and Lighting) to the County Council with a FAVORABLE recommendation (7-0) for a contractor yard, over staff's unfavorable recommendation.
Key Decisions (6)
Rezoning at Toledo Avenue / McKinley Highway (S&H Auto) - unfavorable recommendation
Variances for S&H Auto parking lot
Rezoning at 50755 Portage Road (Crown Investments / JBL Signs and Lighting) - favorable recommendation
Variances for 50755 Portage Road contractor yard
Approval of Town of New Carlisle UDO amendment (Ordinance 1510)
Motion to allow public comment (suspend order of business)
Development Activity (2)
S&H Auto employee/service parking lot
Commercial
JBL Signs and Lighting contractor yard
Commercial
Market Signals (4)
Housing Demand
The Toledo Avenue neighborhood reports regular new-build homes despite being…
Commercial Demand
Vacant former auto dealerships and contractor sites along McKinley Highway…
Sentiment
Strong resident opposition to a Hexagon-linked solar energy project and…
Infrastructure
New Carlisle comprehensive plan flags future mixed-density residential development along…
Who Spoke (20)
On the record: 2 board members, 2 staff members, an attorney, 2 applicant's representatives, and 7 members of the public.
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