Plat Review Committee

The Plat Review Committee reviews and approves administrative plats for the Planning

Commission. Administrative subdivisions or plats are small subdivisions, normally

between 1 and 4 lots. Once the committee approves the final plat, the Planning Director

signs it.

The Committee is comprised of a County Commissioner, the County Engineer, County

Surveyor, the Planning Director and others. The Committee meets twice a month. There

are 2 steps in the administrative plat process. The preliminary plat or rural concept

development plan shows the proposed divisions from the root parcel. The final plat

involves just the number of lots that are actually being created. The applicant can come

back at a later date and final additional lots shown on preliminary plat. For more

information on administrative plats, please check the link on the website for the

Ordinance.

AGENCY PROFILE

MISSION OF THE PLAN COMMISSION

The Board of Commissioners established the Madison County Plan Commission in 1945 to preserve and improve the health and safety of Madison County citizens. It is the responsibility of the Plan Commission to develop a plan that allocates community resources to achieve both current and future goals.

FUNCTIONS OF THE PLAN COMMISSION

The Madison County Planning Commission office has the responsibility of producing the long range planning for Madison County. The Plan Commission's main tool for long range planning is the County Comprehensive Plan. The most recent Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the County Commissioners in March 2001. Based on this new plan, the County has undertaken the process of developing zoning and subdivision ordinances. The Office of the Planning Commission handles the day-to-day administrative work of the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals under the supervision of the Director of the Planning Commission. The office manages the submission and review of petitions for variances, rezoning, and platting. The Plan Commission has a second function as the County Building Commission. Through their inspection program, the Plan Commission issues building permits and enforces building codes as adopted by the County.

PLAN COMMISSION JURISIDICTION

The Planning Commission Jurisdiction includes all unincorporated areas of the County. The Planning Commission also serves as the Building Commission for the Town of Orestes.

Brad Newman - Executive Director

Elizabeth Bruns - County Planner

Stacey Hinton - Office Coordinator/Board Secretary

Tom Whitesell - Building Inspector

Rick Alkove – Building Inspector

PLANNING FAQ'S

Q:

How do I find out the zoning of my property?

A:

You can call the Plan Commission Office at 641-9541 to find out how your property is zoned. We will need the address or a parcel number in order to research this information.

Q:

I want to divide my property, what do I need to do?

A:

The property's current zoning and the property size will determine the subdivision process. Call the Plan Commission Office for more details.

Q:

Can I run a business from my home/garage?

A:

The property's current zoning and the type of business will determine if your business is a permitted use. Call the Plan Commission Office for further details.

Q:

What's a Special Use?

A:

A Special Use is a specified permitted use for a zoning district, that might require BZA approval. Additional conditions may have to be set for that use to coexist in that zone. A petition must be filed for the BZA to review the use and grant approval of the Special Use.

Q:

Do I get a refund if my petition is denied?

A:

No. Filing fees are used for administrative costs.

Q:

What type of construction requires a permit?

A:

New homes, pole barns, additions to homes, pole barns for businesses, remodel, upgrading/changing electrical service, covered or enclosed porches, placing manufactured/mobile homes, swim pools, signs, garage (attached or detached). If you're not sure call 641-9541.

Q:

How much does a permit cost?

A:

See the fee structure table for current permit costs.

Q:

How do I file a complaint against my neighbors?

A:

Call the Plan Commission Office and request a complaint form or download it from our site.

The Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals is organized and empowered by Indiana

State Law to hear and make decisions regarding petitions. The petitions involve

variances of the development standards or land uses that differ from the established

zoning ordinance. The Board provides an option for individualized consideration on

cases that conflict with zoning policy.

The Board is made up of five members. They are all citizens of the County. One is

appointed to the Board yearly from the Planning Commission. The Board of County

Commissioners appoints three and the County Council appoints one. These members

serve four-year terms. The Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month, if needed.

The Board hears three types of cases. The first type is development standards variance.

The Ordinance sets forth a series of standards that all lots, buildings and/or uses must

meet. These include maximum height, setbacks from property lines, maximum lot depth,

minimum lot width and public sewer and water requirements. A variance allows people

to vary from these standards, if approved.

The second type of case is a special use or exception. These are uses permitted in the

different zoning districts with approval from the Board. The uses can range from

businesses, to home occupations, to cell towers. An expansion or addition to a

nonconforming use can also trigger a special use.

The third type of case that the Board can hear is an appeal of Directors decision. A

Directors decision or interpretation of the Ordinance can be appealed. A person can also try to appeal a building permit that was denied. For more information regarding the types of cases the Board hears, please check the link on the website for the Ordinance.

Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee reviews and makes recommendations for some of the

petitions that come before the Planning Commission. Rezonings, planned unit

developments and major subdivisions are examples. The Committee also reviews

petitions that do not come before the Commission. The Committee has final approval of

them. Site development plans are an example of this. For more information regarding

the types of cases the Committee hears, please check the link on the website for the

Ordinance.

The Technical Review Committee is made up of the County Engineer, the County

Surveyor, Planning Director and others. The Committee has monthly scheduled

meetings. However, the Committee can have meetings outside of the regularly scheduled meetings.