Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The Warren County Commissioners have approved a rezoning request to permit a restaurant to go into the current Hatch Patch facility at the corner of Conewango Avenue and Hatch Run Road.

The Warren County Commissioners have approved a rezoning request that will pave the way for the former Hatch Patch building to be turned into a restaurant.

Zoning Officer Michael Lyon told the commissioners during a Wednesday public hearing that the request, recommended by the county Planning Commission, would change the 84 acre property at the corner of Conewango Avenue and Hatch Run Road from an agriculture designation to business.

He said that this parcel was property transferred to the Wenzel family in 1983 and included an agricultural restriction.

Lyon said that there are adjoining properties zoned business adjacent to the property.

“Things have changed in the marketplace,” Richard Lindell told the board. “Now that we own multiple businesses” it is “prudent to consolidate businesses to reduce costs.”

He said that this change would “give us another outlet to direct market our feed products and some of our produce.” While it might move, he stressed that the “Hatch Patch is not going away at all” and will “allow for an opportunity for a current restaurant owner to market our products.”

Lindell said he has permission from the state regarding that agricultural restriction.

The proposal wasn’t without its objectors in Wednesday’s meeting.

Dave Onoratti told the commissioners that he has “not found anybody that is for this.”

He stressed that anything could happen to the property once it is rezoned.

“This community has more business and commercial property available than we know what to do with,” he said, questioning the need for an additional 85 acres of business space.

Anne Benson made a similar argument, that once re-zoned the parcel could be sold and “less desirable properties could be created out of that. I would like to see it be farmland.”

“I feel farmland should be preserved in Warren County,” John Lasher added.

The commissioners subsequently acted on the item during a public meeting that followed the hearing.

Kafferlin suggested that it would be possible to shrink the rezoning request.

Instead of the entire 84 acres, the commissioners approved a 10 acre change to include 200 feet of road frontage along Hatch Run as designated business. The rest would remain zoned agricultural.

“(I) think that should be a happy compromise,” Kafferlin said.