Written with the help of AI from the Clark County Board of Commissioners minutes, Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Lake Road rezoning approved 3-0
This recap is based on the approved minutes of the Clark County Board of Commissioners meeting held Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 3130 East Main Street, Springfield. The meeting was a public hearing on a single rezoning case.
Commissioners passed rezoning case Z-2026-10 as presented. Commissioner Greg Kaffenbarger, Commissioner Charles Patterson and Commissioner Sasha Rittenhouse each voted yes. The motion was made by Patterson and seconded by Kaffenbarger.
The case covers 1.935 acres at 1880 Lake Road in Bethel Township, filed by property owners Mary Davidson and Robert Burns with attorney Alex Niswonger of Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper as their agent. The land was rezoned from B-1 Neighborhood Business to MU-2 Mixed-Use, High Intensity. The purpose is to extend the American Line Builders Apprenticeship Training (ALBAT) facility next door.
What the county staff report said
Stephanie Dunlap of Community and Economic Development told the board the new zoning matches that of the owners’ existing facility directly to the south. The owners plan to combine the two parcels, which would put them over the two-acre minimum and remove the need for one variance, which is an exception to a zoning rule. They also received a side-setback variance from the Board of Zoning Appeals in September.
Dunlap said no changes are planned to the existing building, though the owners want to use the rear of the property for outdoor classroom activities. The surrounding area mixes residential, business, industrial and agricultural uses, and the comprehensive plan identifies the site as mixed-use, low intensity. The Engineer’s office had no objections.
If impervious surfaces, such as pavement or roofing that keep water from soaking in, are added later, the owners will need to submit a site plan and a stormwater management report. Any change to driveway access would need approval from Bethel Township. Staff recommended approval with those conditions, and both the Planning Commission and the Rural Zoning board recommended approval at their September meetings.
Rittenhouse asked about the gap since the Planning Commission meeting. Dunlap said the case was originally scheduled for the previous week, but it was moved because that commission meeting was expected to run long.
What ALBAT and the owners’ representatives said
Dennis Hunter, director of ALBAT, said the organization is purchasing the property and needs MU-2 zoning for its growing apprenticeship program, which serves eight states and Washington, D.C. He said the program brought more than 1,000 apprentices to its facility last year and has grown from roughly 450 apprentices when he attended to about 2,100 today. He said buying nearby properties as they become available will let ALBAT expand while staying in the area.
Hunter said there is no current plan to enlarge the building, though ALBAT intends to update its appearance. Outside, it will install removable training poles like those on its existing property so apprentices can practice climbing, and some training structures can be energized by instructors. Three-phase power will be brought into the existing building for indoor training.
Niswonger said the proposal fits three goals in the code for mixed-use development: making better use of land, connecting nearby properties and reusing existing buildings. He said the former Burns Furniture store has not operated for some time and would return to use for classroom training. He also said the training poles would be movable, with no new permanent structures planned.
Public comment
No members of the public commented on the rezoning, and Dunlap said the county had received no public comments on the case beforehand. The hearing opened at 10:08 a.m. and closed at 10:15 a.m.
Routine items
Commissioner Kaffenbarger moved to adjourn the public hearing, Patterson seconded, and all were in favor. Others present included County Administrator Jennifer Hutchinson, HR Director and Assistant County Administrator Michelle Noble, Clerk Angela Clos, Chief Legal Counsel Beau Thompson and Administrative Specialist Theresa Cox.
Source: Clark County Board of Commissioners minutes, Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
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