At the September 12, 2017 meeting of the Bethel Township (Miami) Trustees, the Bethel Township Trustees voted against a request to re-zone 8.13 acres on Studebaker from A-2 General Agriculture to I-1 Light Industrial. The request from Studebaker Properties LTD would have allowed the owners to join the 8.13 parcel to the adjacent 16.14-acre parcel.

CEO and Owner Phil Mitchell of Dynamic Industries wants to buy the old Process Equipment (PECo) property and more his company to the location. The addition of the 8.13 acres would allow the company to retain a buffer area between the production plant, which now sits empty, and the surrounding residents. In addition, it would allow for planned future expansion.

Dynamic Industries currently employs 30 to 40 employees and generates $10 to $12 million in revenue. The company plans to expand to 100 to 150 full time employees and generate $20 to $25 million in revenues within 10 years. This revenue and employee base would help fund infrastructure improvements in the community and provide extra funding to Bethel Schools through tax dollars.

Opponents of the re-zoning raised several issues. They opponents advocated for a traffic study, ground water and EPA study, a soil and water study. However, most potential buyers are unwilling to pay for these studies unless the rezoning is approved. Any potential property owner must address issues before construction of any facilities are approved.

Opponents also expressed concerns about an increase in noise and the decrease in their property values.

Trustee Beth van Haaren recused herself from voting on the request since she is related to the trustees of Studebaker Properties. Trustee Jerry Hirt and Trustee Gary Biggs voted against the rezoning.

In other business, the trustees approved a payment to Koenig Equipment for repairs to the roadside mower for $5,484.21.

They also approved the appointment of Darrin Anderson as an alternated member for the Bethel Township Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA)for a term starting on September 12, 2017 and ending December 31, 2011.

For the Fire Department, Township Administrator Andy Ehrhart reported that the department made 27 runs between August 19, 2017 and September 8, 2017. The runs included 18 emergency medical runs including two motor vehicle accidents with injuries. The remaining calls included an outside equipment fire, a government agency assist, and a controlled burn.

For Planning and Zoning, Planning and Zoning Directory Marty Caskey reported that the department issued two zoning certifications. They included an addition to a residence, at 6540 Studebaker, and a sign at 8390 E US 40.

The BZA will meeting on September 28, 2017 to hear two variance requests. The first request is to build a pool closer to a building than allowed by the Zoning Regulations. The second request is to build an accessory building with a height, footprint and front of the building to be in front of the residence.

The Bethel Township Zoning Commissioner will meet on September 28, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. to hear a rezoning request to rezone 4.339 acres at 4714 Dayton-Brandt from A-1 Domestic Agriculture to R-1AAA Residential and to rezone the remaining 1.783 acres to A-2 General Agriculture to be joined to an adjacent property already zone A-2.

In zoning enforcement, Caskey addressed three high grass complaints, one construction related complaint and two other complaints.

The next meeting of the Bethel Township Trustees is scheduled for September 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Township Meeting Room.

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