[3:42] I aliance to the flag of [3:47] and for it standsation [3:52] indivisibley for all [3:58] » like to welcome everybody this morning. Uh do we have approval of the agenda? [4:05] » So move second. All in favor? I >> uh do we have approval of the minutes [4:11] from the January 12th, 2026 meeting? So moved. [4:16] » I'll second. >> All in favor? [4:28] The uh business here is the zoning variance [4:32] request uh pub subdivision lots 37 and 38. [4:38] Um, just to refresh, we had a public hearing on Monday and [4:45] everybody kind of wanted to do some research. So, we [4:50] decided to meet here again and uh here we are. [4:55] Uh, we have one we have one letter that has [5:00] been submitted again and uh [5:05] » it's a different letter. or it's a it's a different letter. [5:08] And you want me to read that now, Andrew? [5:10] » Uh, we can open the public hearing. We can reopen the public hearing. [5:13] » Let's do that. Um, if I can get a motion, reopen the public hearing. [5:17] » So move. >> Second. All in favor? [5:20] » I public hearing is now open. Uh, before I read the letter, does anybody [5:27] have any comment out here? I went home and started thinking I I [5:35] chewed on the meeting things that I said and I was a little nervous and not as [5:40] prepared as I would have liked to do. One of the things that I thought maybe [5:45] wasn't made clear by me was that while we have 90 students [5:51] enrolled in Lifewise Academy, we take one class at a time. So, at the very [5:58] most in any given class day, we would only have at the very most at 100% [6:04] enrollment 25 kids at one time. So, I don't know if I made that clear or not. [6:10] And I wanted to make sure to clarify that for everybody. [6:15] That's all. >> Okay. [6:17] » And and Lifewise isn't busing in extra students. This is students that are [6:21] already in our school corporation. there there's no extra transportation, no [6:26] extra cars, no extra parents dropping off. This is kids that are already [6:30] enrolled north and San Pier School Corporation that are on campus. [6:36] » And as as you pointed out Monday, we are parent permitted. The students that come [6:43] can only come when their parents permit them and sign a release for them to [6:47] come. And we're privately funded. And we are a non-denominational [6:52] group. We are strictly teaching the Bible which I know has nothing to do [6:56] with your >> comment on things from the last meeting. [7:00] » Absolutely. >> So, um that's just so everybody's clear. [7:05] Kathy said this before, but the students come in after the buses drop them up. [7:09] So, there's no extra traffic during bus drop off and pick up before and after [7:15] school. Also, I see there could be four houses on that property. So people that [7:21] were concerned about traffic, four houses will bring much more traffic [7:25] probably than two teachers and two or three volunteers [7:29] would come to that place during the day. More traffic, more [7:36] cars. Just I just thought of that point after [7:41] and that's what it will be then if this doesn't happen outous. [7:49] I'd like to have a comment too. I thought about this and it wasn't [7:53] mentioned at the last meeting that uh Russie Curs was approached and I liked [7:59] property rights. I own property in Star County and I I'm a firm believer in [8:02] property rights. Rusty elected to sell us [8:07] this property with the mindset of what was going on. He he approved as a [8:14] property owner. And uh we we never brought that last meeting either. [8:22] » So would Rusty if if this did not go through would Rusty sell the property [8:27] over development for houses? >> So that that's that's kind of on Yeah. [8:35] Okay. Um, [8:40] we just received one, you know, one letter in time [8:46] has passed. Uh, and I will read that now. [8:52] Dear members of the BZA, after viewing the initial meeting meeting via live [8:56] stream, we were left with more questions than answers regarding his proposal. We [9:01] are writing to formally state our opposition to the construction of the [9:04] Likewise Academy building on the field directly across from our home. While we [9:08] welcome responsible development within the town, we believe that this facility [9:12] would be more appropriately located elsewhere. To be clear, we do not oppose [9:16] Lifewise as a program. We understand and respect that the students are currently [9:22] permitted to participate during school hours and we have no objections to [9:27] families choosing that option. Our concern is specifically with the [9:30] proposed permanent structure and its placement within a residential [9:33] neighborhood. The field in question has historically [9:37] been farmland and is surrounded by homes. All existing businesses and [9:42] organizational facilities in North Jud are located on designated commercial or [9:46] mixeduse streets, not within residential neighborhood. Most being on State Road [9:52] 10. Allowing a permanent organizational building in this location would [9:56] significantly alter the character of the area and set a precedent for future [10:00] non-residential development in established neighborhoods. Additionally, [10:05] while the proposed building has been described as approximately 900 to,000 [10:09] square ft, it was also stated that the structure could be expanded in the [10:13] future. This raises concerns that what is being presented as a smallcale [10:18] project could be eventually grown into something much larger with increased [10:22] traffic activity and long-term impact on nearby homeowners. Another concern is [10:28] the lack of clarity surrounding the project details. During discussion, the [10:32] representative indicated that they do not yet know where on the field the [10:38] building would be placed, whether on the east side Vision Street or in the center [10:43] of the property. This uncertainty makes it difficult for [10:46] residents to properly understand or evaluate the full impact of the proposal [10:51] and suggests that key details remain undecided. It also appears that there [10:55] are multiple alternative locations within the town that would be more [10:58] appropriate and practical for this type facility rather than placing it in a [11:03] residential neighborhood. For example, areas such as corner of this drive in [11:09] the state road town, the grassy area near Railroad Street and Cincinnati [11:14] Street behind the superintendent's office between that building and [11:18] softball field near the corner of 500 West of State Road 10. Several of these [11:24] locations would allow students to walk directly to the facility, eliminating [11:27] the need for bus transportation. This would reduce additional traffic fuel [11:31] comp. [11:34] For these reasons, we respectfully request that this project not be [11:38] approved for construction on this residential property. We believe [11:41] facilities of this type of more approp are more appropriately placed in areas [11:46] already intended for institutional or commercial use rather than directly [11:50] across from family home. Thank you for your time and consideration. We [11:55] appreciate the opportunity to share our concerns and hope they will be carefully [11:58] considered before any decisions are made. Sincerely, Kenzie and Quinn and [12:03] Scotty 6221 South. [12:09] » They submitted a letter. So that's second person. [12:18] » Uh [12:25] any comments regarding this letter? >> No, pretty straightforward. [12:33] » Appreciate some questions. [12:38] Be across from somebody's house. I would ask those those people, are they [12:44] offended by me farming one acre of brown zoned residential and I'm agricultural? [12:52] And I have the same question. Am I unwelcome there with my farm trackers [12:58] which weigh 25 tons on the city streets. [13:06] » I just Yeah. No, I go you understand my point where [13:14] um [13:21] John Jerry is do you guys know which way the front of [13:27] the building would face now since the last meeting or [13:32] » preference would be that it would be facing Campbell um for visibility. [13:38] Yeah. >> And like we said, this is our initial [13:42] step this property. Um, when I was hired as the director over [13:51] the summer, I was driving through the whole town and looking to see what [13:56] property would make the most sense. And this is the property I landed on. Um, [14:03] turns out I'm not the only one or the first one to have had that same thought. [14:08] But this is our very first step. We don't [14:13] even have have our plans drawn up yet because first we needed to know, do we [14:18] even have an option of a place to build? But I've had conversations with the man [14:25] uh who headed up the project at West Central. I talked to him this week and [14:29] he gave me a few of his insights and thoughts. One of the things also about [14:35] all of the lifewise structures that I'm aware of that I've looked at are built [14:41] in residential areas as close to the school as possible. And we do have to be [14:47] within a 5 minute drive to the schools because of our timeline. We don't have [14:53] time to transport the kids anymore. So, um, that's a long long answer to [14:59] your short question, but do you have any other questions for [15:05] » and if we divided the lot, if the lot was divided, if we didn't use the whole [15:10] lot, which we probably wouldn't need to, our preference would be the east side, [15:15] the ones the one closest to the school. [15:21] » Go ahead. >> Okay. One thing about, you know, [15:23] students being able to walk to the on bad snowy days or rainy days, that's not [15:28] feasible. You know, we don't want to have to walk kids and downs to a [15:34] building >> and they're coming from the elementary. [15:36] So that >> Yeah. Keep coming. Right. [15:39] » It's a 25minute walk >> and you can't build on already own [15:45] property. Correct. >> Right. [15:47] » Because I think a couple of those that were mentioned were already school owned [15:50] property. >> Right. We cannot build behind the [15:52] superintendent so that it seems as though that would be really [15:56] » Yeah, >> I believe one of the other properties [15:58] mentioned it's either going to be Cory's property or it's going to be town [16:01] property. >> I was going to say I thought somebody [16:04] who's got property >> Yeah. [16:08] [laughter] [16:10] other people. >> So, that would be great, but it's the [16:12] the time frame because we're already on town and it's just [16:16] so long. That that's the that's the that's the key right there. [16:24] If I could just say something, go ahead. I mean, this subdivision is [16:28] I don't I don't know. [16:32] It's self-explanatory, right? It's this middle school is literally with Hubin in [16:36] that in that area. So, [16:42] the traffic going through the school, you know what I mean? This is during the [16:45] day. Everybody's at work. There's there's a couple cars. That's the gist [16:48] of it. There's there's nothing else really going on there far as disruptive [16:53] of anything from from 8 to 2, you know what I mean? [16:59] But it's literally across from the middle school. I don't know. [17:02] » Looking at a school, that was your point. And it's still I mean it's the [17:06] the the uptick of the traffic in which there is none. Um there is none [17:13] as far as what do we consider traffic? I don't more than 10 cars. I don't know. [17:20] But the amount of traffic that comes after school I mean you that make sense [17:25] like that's been a lot of cars leaving the school and going [17:29] west and down every division. You know what I mean? [17:35] So for me that argument doesn't really make a whole lot of sense. Um [17:41] because you live across from a middle school basically and high school. [17:46] » It's it's already very close proximity to a building like over [17:56] » and and addressing the size of the building and looking to the future. I [17:59] know you talked about 1500 square f feet I think when we initially but we really [18:04] didn't see any plans on what type of structure it's going to be and I think [18:09] there should be some uh maybe some limitations based on what what you're [18:13] going to do around the building is it going to be something that just a [18:16] building that sits there is there going to be some shrubbery uh something that [18:20] kind of puts it in in the same thing as as a residential neighborhood and uh if [18:27] that's not the case and it kind of stands out a little bit different. Uh [18:31] looking at registration, I know we asked about that, talked about it. The state's [18:36] pretty vague on that. They really they say yes and then they say, "Well, maybe [18:40] this and maybe that." It's kind of a a real wishy-washy area. Um I looked at [18:46] the website, went and looked at that. Uh they've had some legal problems in the [18:50] Midwest with their various uh school locations. Don't know why I didn't get [18:56] into it. It's just that they mentioned those lawsuits and happened. Uh [19:03] other than that, uh you know, not being a certified school, I mean, I understand [19:07] Bible training is probably a little bit different than a standard school. Uh [19:11] that that kind of concerns me. But, uh you know, I think the purpose is good. [19:17] Uh I think there may be uh you know if there's going to be problems down the [19:21] road I would hope not that it could be from that and understanding you know the [19:26] neighborhood that they don't really want their resident changed to something [19:29] other than at least something that looks like home. [19:32] » So you know that's kind of where I'm coming from. [19:37] » Well all of the plans that we're looking at look like homes. In fact, we, you [19:43] know, we were looking at Cory's building that he's working on right now, um, for [19:48] two purposes. One purpose to see if that structure would work for a Lifewise [19:54] building. >> Mhm. [19:55] » And it absolutely would with some modifications on the inside. [20:00] » So, um, yeah, we're not we're not building a commercial building that you [20:06] could put up a, you know, another kind of business in. And it's my [20:11] understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong, heading [20:15] wrong a lot, the variance would only apply to a Likewise building. It [20:21] wouldn't apply to any other business. >> That would have to be the limitations [20:24] that it would revert back. >> Yeah, I would assume. [20:28] » Yeah. To a residential. >> You put stipulations for [20:33] » Yep. >> how it looks, what size. [20:36] » Yeah. Any expansion that we would do [20:42] would only require an additional [20:47] uh two classrooms to accommodate high school and middle school because if [20:52] their schedules over overlapped, it would never we would never require a [20:58] bigger space than that. >> Are you talking about possibly doubling [21:03] the size of the exist existing building? Probably not double. [21:07] » Not double. No. >> Depends how many kids you have. You [21:12] have 1,500 square feet for what? 90. No. >> For 25 at a time, though. [21:17] » Yeah. >> So, we would never need we would never [21:22] need really more than 1,800 square feet in my mind. Um, they talk about uh 25 [21:28] square feet per student. Um so the classroom is only going to be [21:35] you know less than 700 square ft. So, um, at the very most [21:41] of us, uh, [21:51] there any question, [21:58] » John, to adjubs, [22:02] flowers. >> Yeah. I mean, yeah, it's a residential [22:05] neighborhood. You don't want to put something out that is just so fun. [22:09] » Yeah. [laughter] >> No, I mean it literally would look like [22:11] a house with all the fixings. >> Like we all keep up our own properties. [22:15] » Yeah. We've lost something that looks nice to students to come to. [22:20] » Sure. >> So realistically, even with an addition, [22:23] I mean, you're 3,000 square feet or less. More than likely. [22:27] » Oh, yes. >> More than likely. [22:29] » With each lot sold and put a 2,000 foot home on it, you're looking at 8,000 [22:34] square foot of home on four lots. This would still [22:38] be quite quite a bit smaller than that. [22:45] » You guys you guys would [22:49] use the or the would use the east half for your building [22:56] and you would lot off the west half for homes. Do I understand that right or [23:01] » that's up to the property owners? >> Okay. That would not be a fuss [23:07] because any any partial if it's a partial [23:12] uh donation the don the donated property would be likewise [23:17] but the rest of it you know if we didn't use the whole part it would be the [23:22] donors >> and that would be up to you guys what's [23:26] allowed in that there Any [23:36] thoughts on that? >> The rest of it would be helpful. unsure [23:42] houses. [23:46] » I think from a town, you know, that was brought up to me from a town perspective [23:50] is, you know, you have you'd have four lots that you [23:56] would have taxes paid on uh [24:04] » nonprofit. Well, but what I'm saying is at least [24:08] you would be able to keep two. >> You would be able to keep two. [24:12] » Yeah. >> Which I think is [24:13] » Well, I see what you're saying. >> Yeah. Because there's not, you know, [24:17] we're not making much more property in town. So, as to your point, Yeah. [24:22] » Um and infill housing is what has been the mantra for years now because it's [24:27] harder and harder to property unless you have 100% of the business or property [24:30] owners on on board. So, that infill housing is what promotes [24:36] uh improvements and and raises property tax values and improves um [24:42] neighborhoods. So yeah, and on our utility side as well, you know, more tap [24:47] fees and uh we just talked about a wastewater [24:52] project that's like okay, is it four years out or is it six, seven years out [24:56] depending on dollars. So another avenue of improving our way to our treatment [25:00] plant is for customers that means more more dollars in that allows us gives us [25:05] a greater position when we go to bond a project um and seek financing it gives [25:12] us a better position. So yeah we want to look at it from all those angles. Our [25:15] comp plan what our comp plan says about housing promotion in town and and [25:20] growing within ourselves uh within our means too. So yeah, [25:24] » plenty commission looked to this. >> Um, no, no, it comes to the BCA [25:28] initially. Yeah, not initially comes to the BCA for a variant, use variant for [25:35] » Can I respond to that? >> One of the things that draws people into [25:40] a community is the strong school >> in the community. And uh I think and [25:49] this is just just my opinion, but I think when people see, wow, there's a [25:56] Lifewise Academy, this school is really a strong I I think it just speaks to how [26:03] strong it is for a community to embrace an additional educational opportunity. [26:11] I really do. I'm I'm not just throwing that out there as a life-wise [26:15] representative. I think when you know when we moved to North Judson years ago, [26:20] it was such a thriving booming town school was just overflowing. And and I [26:26] think anything that the town can do to encourage that kind of growth of [26:33] education encourages people to say, "Hey, that, [26:37] you know, that's a town that is growing. That's that's my opinion of that and [26:45] I understand you know you know there aren't too many places to build new [26:50] homes now >> I understand and I think the point too [26:54] our businesses I mean in a lot of sense hollowed out completely hollowed out we [26:59] were still working on getting a grocery store here what like how is that [27:04] possible you know it's because we buy up small small goes away and we we're left [27:10] So, it's not much. So, yeah, in the vein of that, it's uh it makes it more [27:16] attractive to have those things. And I don't think anybody opposes [27:20] » you guys at all. I think it's location. That's all that comes down to these [27:24] letters and input from people. It's just location and they have a they have a [27:28] personal stake in it. And I can't I I don't know how I would feel if it was my [27:32] next order. I I couldn't couldn't tell you. I don't know even across the [27:36] street. But I take your point entirely. Absolutely. I think there is the more [27:41] the more and I guess I don't know anything about life wise never heard of [27:45] it any of that but um I take your point for sure [27:53] I guess I don't have any I don't have any questions um I guess if there are [27:57] none we want to make motion to close the public hearing [28:02] we'll make the motion close the public hearing if you know what else has [28:05] anything else to say >> could I say one thing [28:11] [laughter] just in on the point of lifewise [28:16] want to to promote it but several back in the I think it was in the 1800s and [28:21] mind would be pronouncing this man's name wrong but his he was a philosopher [28:27] from France and he came to America and he seen how great America was. France [28:33] had a they had the rich and they had the very poor and there was no middle class [28:37] at all. And he could not really understand why America was so prosperous [28:45] until he went into the churches. When he went into the churches, [28:50] he said, "America is great because America is good. And when America ceases [28:57] to be good, it will cease to be great." And likewise [29:02] is not it's a non-denominational thing that doesn't exclude people from other [29:09] denominations. It's Christian denomination but that that's the only [29:14] thing about it. So that that's a thought to [29:18] and today we're we're in dire need of that. When I was in when school school [29:25] was very safe there was no one thought about bringing [29:29] a gun to school. And I I would think that we should do [29:35] all we can to encourage somewhere some the basics of Christianity to our [29:42] children to make America as great as it as it once was. [29:52] It's my call. [29:57] Um so there's one motion on the floor. Close public [30:01] hearing. Do we have a second? >> Second. All in favor? [30:05] » I [30:12] bring to a vote [30:16] to make a motion uh to either accept or deny and then on the basis of how [30:24] » Yeah. How much? >> Yeah. salads the whole thing or [30:28] » about half and um yeah the sign of it seems to be what has questions asked [30:36] answer >> on the the look of it of course that's [30:41] another one but >> yeah and it's uh [30:45] approved deny or approve with restrictions basically [30:52] » I'll make a motion we approve the variance with the restrictions [30:58] that is pertaining to local, county, state ordinances, rules, [31:06] and guidelines. And it this fits in with the decorum of [31:10] the neighborhood. [31:16] Second time, all those in favor say I. [31:21] » I. >> I. [31:25] Was that was you Sarah Deac? >> No, no. I was just I was looking over [31:29] stipulations that I written down it down >> and that was number one talking about [31:34] the property reverting back to residential if wise I can't remember [31:39] what wise life >> lifewise I know I had it close [31:45] um and being split into two parcels I think that's part of what we talked [31:48] about also >> uh state approved Jerry carried covered [31:52] that pretty good at that and the entrance off Campbell street [32:00] and I can't think of any stipulations other than the city the town would have [32:04] any requirements. >> No, no, those were the questions where [32:08] and how oriented and uh just the more visual aspect of which that was covered. [32:15] You know, looking at state requirements and that when it comes to the fire [32:19] marshall and things of that nature, >> do they have to meet the same [32:22] requirement as school? [32:27] » Any building that's open to the public is subject to the fire marshal [32:31] jurisdiction. >> Yep. Yep. And and we would have an [32:36] experienced contractor handling all of the details and he would [32:42] kill them. And that this half of the property is my [32:47] understanding on the east half of the property. Is that my understanding of [32:51] what we're in written here or am I wrong? Just so I can discuss. [32:58] » Yeah, the east side. That's what we talked about [33:01] » looking at the layout of the property. U [33:07] » which as the original application was the west side would be allocated for [33:12] housing. >> Okay. [33:13] » Yeah. development future out development that's the way I understand. Gotcha. [33:19] » Can I ask the parcels are [33:25] » that's narrow. So can >> that's another one is it would be and if [33:29] you split it in half you could almost join the two on the east side the one [33:33] » okay >> and the other two on the other side they [33:35] would fit um Joan uh Batty and the uh neighborh they almost mirror the [33:42] property line so you I don't you would have to change much there [33:46] » well the parcels on the map are divided along Campbell Street long ways not [33:53] yes and I think if you >> that's okay that we [33:55] » Yeah and I Think as long as what's understanding I believe in in splitting [33:59] it east side and west side like that whole neighborhood you would take that [34:03] line and just draw it in half and that would essentially give you four parcels [34:08] right >> lifewise you would like I said want to [34:10] join one part parcel to just put it in the center or where it's oriented best [34:14] for your needs and according to our town code but on that would if you split it [34:19] in half that would essentially leave you those other two parcels that mirror [34:22] » the neighboring one so yeah that would be that makes total sense as As far as [34:26] the makeup of the block, our zoning map, >> that's why we asked for the whole thing [34:33] because we the dividing line with that are used. [34:36] » Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. [34:41] » Yeah. That's that's the way I [34:45] » So you'd have the access on Division Street [34:49] for the other half basically >> for the Lifewise campus. No, for the [34:54] other one for >> for the other the other the two [34:56] residential. Let's see. >> Off. [35:00] Yeah, >> west side. I guess one could be off [35:04] ambush. >> Yeah, division, [35:08] » right? Block. No, it's evening. So division is the road that runs into the [35:13] middle school, you know, parking area. >> So it's pretty much like this [35:20] and the west side of this property. So likewise on this [35:32] split in half this way, >> you still have to have [35:38] you. Okay, I see what you're talking about. [35:51] This is [35:59] » okay. That's what I was. [36:03] » Okay. [clears throat] Yeah. [36:09] » And the details. Okay. We have >> Jerry [36:15] Jerry made the motion. Isaiah second [36:24] » up here got comments or questions or anything short? [36:31] I don't either. Um, >> there's a 30-day remmonstrance period. [36:37] » Just never got >> No, it never got back to us. Our [36:39] attorney had to travel overseas. There was a death in his family. So, if not, [36:43] he would be on our Zoom. >> Uh, there is a 30-day period where uh if [36:48] we receive anything, whether it's through the and this is where specifics, [36:52] uh, whether it's u through the courts or or some measure of a remmonstrance to [36:58] that. Um, but there is a 30-day period after approval. There he is. So here [37:03] again like I just said the details. >> Yeah, [37:05] » for certain of I'm not speculate. >> Yeah, and we'll communicate. Uh I know [37:09] it was 30 days because we had another Yeah. [37:11] » variance recently uh that Justin uh we were informed of that then as well. So, [37:20] » uh I guess if nobody else has any questions or any additional [37:25] goods. >> One additional thing we uh for the year [37:27] we need to let a uh chair and vice chair the BZA like we do every year. So I know [37:34] Josh had that last year if someone makes wants to make a vote [37:38] make a motion that we [37:43] second. All in favor [37:49] with [37:54] » I guess a motion on vice chair. Yeah. >> Jerry. Yeah. [38:06] » All right. >> You got it set up. [38:11] I guess if there's no business or further question then you make a motion [38:17] to adjourn. Second. All in favor? >> I know we're [38:22] » Thank you.