PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
PLANNING … Edgerton Village Planning Commission member Lance Bowsher (above) goes over the minutes from the July 24, 2025, session as the commission met on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, in the village offices.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Edgerton Village Planning Commission met on Wednesday, October 29, in the village offices.
Commission members present were Lance Bowsher, Larry Welch, Preston Knecht, and Mayor Robert Day. Camie Hicks and Chuck Wallace were both absent. Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles and Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht were in attendance.
A request for approval was considered for a village property located on 408 South Michigan Avenue.
The property involves a proposed triplex building, which is currently owned by the Williams County Port Authority, which has been actively carrying out construction work in the village.
“Currently, there is a duplex unit that is in process on Sacher Street,” said Fitzcharles. “Most of the properties that have been located here in Edgerton have not come before the planning commission because the site plans are within what the specifications are.”
Fitzcharles pointed out that the actual site plan is already in compliance with the village. She also mentioned a multi-family triplex is under contract and set to close as soon as the construction is completed.
The parcel is being zoned R-2, under the ordinances, where multi-family dwelling is a permitted use as long as one of the conditions is met.
“What the rule is that anything more than two units, the development is supposed to come in front of the planning commission for a hearing with all of the information,” said Fitzcharles.
“The planning commission shall review the location of all structures within the development to assure the adequate length of easement entries is available for all structures.”
Currently, there are two driveways on the site, but the proposal is to abandon one driveway located on the north side.
“With everything being in compliance and what is supposed to be, the only thing we are really reviewing is the fact that there are three units on a R-2 zoned property,” said Fitzcharles.
She didn’t receive any feedback from citizens on the property, which is priced at $230,000. Each of the three 32 x 25 units will contain two bedrooms and one bath.
“Because of the size of the lot, the location, and the infrastructure, we decided to put this proposal in front of you,” said Fitzcharles.
Shawn Rupp of the Williams County Port Authority told committee members that the reason the authority is pushing into triplexes right now is to get the rent per unit down.
“By the time you get the lot cost versus two or three units, it makes about $100 a month in rent difference the landlord will have to charge there to make his margin back,” said Rupp.
“So, we’ve been trying to (determine) whether we can look at a triplex or a duplex instead of a single unit to get those costs down as much as we can.”
Fitzcharles pointed out that the triplexes on Sacher Street have been purchased and will be entering the rental market over the next couple of weeks. She added that there has been local interest in investing in the community and anticipates seeing more of these proposed in the future.
Bowsher then made a motion to approve the conditional use and the request authorizing the three units on the 408 South Michigan Street parcel, with Knecht seconding. The motion carried with Day, Welch, Knecht, and Bowsher all voting yes.
The commission then took into consideration approval of a parcel lot split on 418 North Michigan Avenue at the former Dollar General building.
Fitzcharles had received a proposal from Big C Lumber Company requesting to split off the old Dollar General building.
The project will include 32 parking spaces, which will be divided between the two sections and allocated to the former Dollar General building.
“The tricky part is within the code, according to what the use is, that dictates how many parking spots that you need,” said Fitzcharles.
“I think 32 parking spots is sufficient. We’re calculating the minimum would be 21 parking spots, with the possibility of 25 parking spots. So, I think 32 parking spots is sufficient and it also plans for the future.”
According to Fitzcharles, the property is currently listed, along with details about the parcel split and the Village of Edgerton’s review. She has already shared the information with the department heads regarding the property.
The commission then approved the motion for the parcel split by a 4-0 vote. The meeting then adjourned at 5:19 p.m.