Post by Woody Williams on Mar 21, 2006 17:08:27 GMT -5
McIntosh Land OK For Recreation
By Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer
McIntosh Land OK For Recreation
Kenneth McIntosh, who was forced to close his high-fence hunting operation last year, must now rely on wildlife observation for income following a ruling Tuesday.
McIntosh went before the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals to use 161 fenced-in acres for commercial recreation, including overnight lodging, wildlife observation and photography.
In August 2005, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources banned fenced hunting in the state. Since the decision, McIntosh appealed for an exception with the BZA for other recreational use on the property. In January, the decision was tabled for 60 days.
Tuesday, the board unanimously approved the matter but not before hearing from McIntosh’s neighbors, who asked the board to deny the request.
Adjacent property owners complained of a lack of privacy due to the operation and questioned whether quiet hours would be enforced. Others wondered how the decision would affect future conflicts of a similar matter.
“Usually the board makes a decision based on precedence,” area neighbor Kyle Swartz said. “But this situation involves no precedence, and this has to be considered.”
But board members argued such conflicts occurred prior to this decision, such as the installation of cell phone towers in agricultural areas.
“This is a business (of McIntosh’s) that assists the farming community, therefore it’s agriculturally friendly,” BZA member Charlie Haffner said. “We all enjoy eating and we all enjoy the price of food.
“He’s been given a set of requirements, and has willingly complied. I see no reason to deny this petition.”
A requirement of the approval holds McIntosh responsible for observing quiet hours during days of operations. He must contact neighbors to find out what hours should be considered for the requirement.
www.timeswrsw.com/N0316062.HTM
By Joe Kirkendall, Times-Union staff writer
McIntosh Land OK For Recreation
Kenneth McIntosh, who was forced to close his high-fence hunting operation last year, must now rely on wildlife observation for income following a ruling Tuesday.
McIntosh went before the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals to use 161 fenced-in acres for commercial recreation, including overnight lodging, wildlife observation and photography.
In August 2005, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources banned fenced hunting in the state. Since the decision, McIntosh appealed for an exception with the BZA for other recreational use on the property. In January, the decision was tabled for 60 days.
Tuesday, the board unanimously approved the matter but not before hearing from McIntosh’s neighbors, who asked the board to deny the request.
Adjacent property owners complained of a lack of privacy due to the operation and questioned whether quiet hours would be enforced. Others wondered how the decision would affect future conflicts of a similar matter.
“Usually the board makes a decision based on precedence,” area neighbor Kyle Swartz said. “But this situation involves no precedence, and this has to be considered.”
But board members argued such conflicts occurred prior to this decision, such as the installation of cell phone towers in agricultural areas.
“This is a business (of McIntosh’s) that assists the farming community, therefore it’s agriculturally friendly,” BZA member Charlie Haffner said. “We all enjoy eating and we all enjoy the price of food.
“He’s been given a set of requirements, and has willingly complied. I see no reason to deny this petition.”
A requirement of the approval holds McIntosh responsible for observing quiet hours during days of operations. He must contact neighbors to find out what hours should be considered for the requirement.
www.timeswrsw.com/N0316062.HTM
