COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Plan Commission will consider a resolution that would change the jurisdictional boundaries of the city at its February 8 meeting. The changes are necessitated in part due to the recent sale of Otter Creek Golf Course.
The resolution proposes that to the east, in the area of the Otter Creek Golf Course, the jurisdiction will recede from about one-half mile east of State Road 46 to near county road 500E. Also to be considered will be the revision of the Commission’s jurisdictional boundary to the north of Columbus. The revision would correct previous oversights that resulted in certain properties being partially in the jurisdiction of the Columbus Plan Commission and partly in that of the Bartholomew County Plan Commission.
The jurisdiction of the Commission includes all land incorporated into the City of Columbus as well as properties outside the city limits in a specific exterritorial or “two-mile” area. Indiana law allows city and town plan commissions throughout the state to establish this expanded jurisdiction provided it extends no further than two miles from each incorporated city or town boundary. This extended jurisdiction is not automatic, nor does it expand as does the city or town itself. Each plan commission must take specific steps, specified in Indiana law, to establish their jurisdiction.
The City of Columbus Plan Commission has used a “two-mile” jurisdiction since 1960. The current jurisdictional limits were refined in 2000. At that time, the eastern extent of the Columbus jurisdiction was based on Otter Creek Golf Course as being a remote area of incorporated Columbus. However, the sale of the Otter Creek Golf Course to a private entity in October 2022 means it is no longer eligible to remain in the city limits. The property will automatically become disannexed one year later, in October of this year. As a result, the Plan Commission must re-draw its jurisdictional boundaries to be, at most, within two miles of the remaining city limits.
The Plan Commission meeting will begin at 4 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Columbus City Hall. The public is welcome to attend and will have the opportunity to speak on this topic. You can also contact Planning Director Jeff Bergman with any questions at 812-376-2550 or jbergman@columbus.in.gov.
The proposed resolution adopting the revised jurisdiction, as well as the supporting maps, will be posted on the Planning Department’s website here.
