Neighbors Reach Compromise In Vacation Request
One property vacation was approved while another one was denied at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting today (Tuesday).
A rather long debate ensued regarding a road vacation petition in Turkey Creek Township. The petitioner, Larry Farver, requested that a 30-foot by 116-foot right of way on his property be vacated. The right of way leads to the water’s edge at Lake Wawasee.
The APC voted 8-0 not to vacate it at its Sept. 5 meeting.
Farver’s attorney, Steve Snyder, said he requested not to vacate all of it and narrow it or limit it to pedestrian traffic only. Snyder said he is trying to protect the property value of his client.
Several remonstrators attended the meeting. Attorney Jack Birch, who represented a nearby property owner, said more than 100 signatures were obtained against the vacation. He said he has not seen any evidence of parking there.
“Parking is not the issue,” Birch stated, adding that his client wants to have access to Lake Wawasee. “I see no reason to close it or narrow it.”
Two people spoke out against the petition. Nearby property owner Jackie Ravenscroft said parking is not the issue, rather it’s access to the lake. She and her family wants to be able to have access to the lake. “I ask that you keep it open,” she urged.
Farver’s request was denied, but a compromise was reached. “No parking” signs will be installed at the right of way so that there is restricted access to the lake.
A second vacation petition by Mark B. Anderson was approved. His request was to have a 16.5-foot-wide alley vacated in the small community of Wooster. The alley is located in the Wooster Heights subdivision.
Approval to amend a portion of a zoning ordinance dealing with performance standards was granted. A sentence will be added to a section of the ordinance stating those standards will not apply to normal agriculture practices in any zoning district in the county. The standards are in regards to confined feeding operations near a residential area.
In other county-related matters, a grant for $4,054 was accepted by the commissioners. The grant will be used by the emergency management office for training, education and new equipment.
Traffic flow at Old Road 30 and Zimmer Road will be changing soon as the new roundabout at the intersection is nearly completion. The roundabout is expected to be open to traffic by Nov. 15.
Kosciusko County Commissioners are president Bob Conley, Ron Truex and Brad Jackson. The next meeting is at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the county courthouse in Warsaw.