Plan Commission

City of Lancaster Plan Commission Meeting Date: Monday May 11, 2026 Place: 206 S Madison St. City Hall, Council Chambers Agenda: 1. Meeting called to order at 6:30 p.m. 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Roll Call Present: Shayne LaBudda (chair); Mary Leonard, Terry Meyer, Matt Pennekamp (6:34 p.m.), Carl Thiede, Kevin Timmerman, Kyle Vesperman (Quorum) Public: Brian Fager; Kurt Leibfried; Ted Schacht; Jeff Farrey, Dan Stelpflug, Steve Walker (Lancaster Pickleball Association); David Timmerman (Herald Independent) Staff: Michael Kuchta (city administrator) 4. Plan Commission minutes of 4-13-2026: Motion by Thiede, second by Leonard; approved on voice vote. 5. Review Rezoning Application for Aptiv Inc. and possible recommendation to City Council: Motion by Vesperman, second by Timmerman to recommend that City Council approve amended PUD. Approved 6-0 on roll call vote. 6. Discussion of request by Brian Fager to purchase 5 acres of City-owned land along Highway K, and possible recommendation to City Council: Fager explained latest map of proposed purchase; Austin Engineering is working on formal survey. His intent is to build single-family house. Purchase would eliminate little-used loop of Lancaster Trail, but minimize impact on main trail. In response to questions, staff explained sale process that ordinance requires City Council to follow; there is no requirement for a finding of public need. City Council could act as soon as next Monday. Committee members questioned any benefit to the city beyond sales revenue; noted house would be in township, not city, and therefore not generate tax base; and that if city sells land, it likely would never get it back. Motion by Thiede, second by Pennekamp to move request to City Council without recommendation. Approved 5-2 on roll call vote (LaBudd, Meyer opposed). 7. Discussion of rezoning of portion of Schacht Field for possible use as pickleball courts, filing of Rezone Application, and scheduling of public hearing: Lancaster Pickleball Association is requesting roughly 36,000 square feet of land in the northeast corner of Schacht Field for six courts, a pavilion, parking, lights, and related facilities. Group expects to rely on portable toilet to start. Placement of storm sewer and other utilities will affect exact location. Farrey said northeast location is best for access, visibility, cost, safety, and to minimize noise impacts on residents. Kuchta suggested alternative location in the northwest corner, which would keep more land available for future commercial development. He said northeast location would isolate northwest corner and minimize amount of space there and on south end of land for anything but green space. Farrey said group needs to pin down a site in order to pursue major fundraising. Group expects to raise $300,000 and to cover all costs and upkeep, with no cost to Plan Commission minutes of May 11, 2026 1  taxpayers. Thiede noted mowing field currently costs $1,650/year; wondered if group would take over mowing the entire field. Group expects courts to be open to public at no charge, though reservations will be available. Schacht noted his family donated the land for recreational purposes, and thought the pickleball proposal makes sense and is consistent with the original intent. Consensus of the committee is that northeast corner is best location. Motion by Meyer, second by Pennekamp to initiate a zoning change application. Schacht Field would be rezoned from C-1 General Business to CON Conservancy to accommodate pickleball courts. Public hearing could be scheduled for June Commission meeting. Motion approved 7-0 on roll call vote. 8. Review of Assembly Bill 453 and Senate Bill 480, and their potential impact on Lancaster zoning, planning and tax incremental districts: Written report included in packet. 9. Next scheduled meeting: Monday June 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m. 10. Adjourn: Motion by Theide, second by Pennekamp to adjourn at 7:37 p.m. Approved on voice vote. Plan Commission minutes of May 11, 2026 2