by Mike Knaak
editor@thenewsleaders.com
Integrating St. Joseph Township into the city of St. Joseph took another step Aug. 27 when the Planning Commission approved amending three zoning ordinances.
The ordinance updates come after a July vote by the township approving annexation. The amended ordinances are intended to ease the annexation process for residents and businesses.
The three ordinances addressed concerns raised during a public hearing and were developed by a committee of four members each from the city and township.
A new rural residential ordinance was designed to establish and preserve areas within the city for agriculture, open space and very low-density residential development.
Additionally, the committee proposed a Hwy. 75 Business District and Light Industrial District to accommodate existing construction piles.
No people spoke at a public hearing and the amended ordinances were passed unanimously.
The amended ordinances now need a vote of the City Council, probably at the Sept. 17 meeting.