The Marshall County Commissioners held the second reading of an ordinance concerning
a Planned Unit Development request that would create 33 shipping container homes.
As previously reported by Plan Director Ty Adley, the development of 3919 Michigan Road would involve a 33 lot gated residential lot in place of an existing 16 out of 30 lot mobile home community. The proposed 33 homes would be made of a combination of shipping containers providing structural secure homes that will be signed off by engineers/architects ensuring Indiana Residential Code is met.
Additionally, the existing driveway will house a new water line and be regraded to make way for a brick road with two drive lanes and two sidewalks. The gated entrance will add security but will allow for emergency vehicle access. There will be a community building as well.
The Marshall County Planning Commission voted 5-3 with a favorable recommendation to the commissioners with several conditions as indicated by the Technical Review Committee.
The commissioners previously approved the first reading with a unanimous vote of the commissioners present during the last meeting August 7. During Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Michael Burroughs made a motion to approve the second reading of the ordinance, but Commission President Stan Klotz did not provide a second to the motion. Commissioner Kevin Overmyer was not in attendance at the meeting. Therefore, the motion died for a lack of a second.
Klotz said he just was not ready to approve the project.
“I’ve got concerns from a business standpoint how this all works out for the public,” stated Klotz. “Obviously, we both agree that it needs to be cleaned up out there, but I’m just not convinced this is a way to go.”
He also has concerns about the septic in that area.
Property owner Thomas Landgrebe stated that he is making substantial improvement to the property with a forward way of thinking and doing things differently. He noted that he has satisfied the requirements pertaining to this type of project set forth in the zoning ordinances. Klotz responded that he does not think it is a viable option for the community.
Landgrebe said he has gotten positive remarks about the project, but will work with the State to move forward with plans to improve the area.
