Miscommunication marked one of the petitions during the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission May 6 at the county courthouse in Warsaw.

Patrick Industries petitioned the APC for vacation of lots and alleys in the Strauss, Dolan’s and M. Hillabold’s additions in Syracuse. Patrick wants to build a new storage facility and expand operations.

But Henry DeJulia, Syracuse town manager, said the town is not ready to have all the vacations approved because of existing water lines that may need to be rerouted. However, DeJulia indicated it would not be a problem to vacate the southern portion of the property where the new building would be built.

Keith Herbert of Patrick Industries said building the storage facility would create jobs for the community. Members of the APC, though, felt caught in the middle of confusion because they wanted to see a more specific site plan. It was hard to determine which lots would be vacated and which ones would not.

Lee Harman, chairman of the APC, requested DeJulia and the representatives from Patrick Industries go to a back room and try to reach an agreement. Several minutes later, they emerged and seemed to have an agreement, but then it was noted there is an existing sewer line on the portion of the property to be built upon. Eventually after more discussion the APC approved vacating 12 lots and two alleys on property bordered by Pittsburgh Street to the south, Huntington Street to the east and Baltimore Street partially to the north in an area formerly used mainly by Liberty Homes. A condition was attached to the approval, though, making it subject to written approval by the town of Syracuse saying they are satisfied with the placement of the utilities.

In other business, the APC recommended approval for a petition by Carey Group to rezone land from Industrial II to Commercial on Pequignot Drive at the intersection with Matchett Drive in Pierceton. The property is located in the Matchett Industrial Park and is a 7-acre tract. Carey Group plans to use the property for an inpatient medical facility of some type, though more specific details were not discussed.

There were no remonstrators against the petition, though one nearby building owner said he is concerned about semi trucks turning around on his property and there are two large divots where the trucks dug up the asphalt when trying to pull a trailer out of a ditch. Pierceton Town Board will consider the petition at its May 11 meeting.

Also on the agenda, the planning commission approved a preliminary plat petition for Jack and Rita Simpson for a development on roughly 3.6 acres of ground on the north side of SR 25, west of CR 950W on the fringes of the town of Mentone in Harrison Township. Andrew Rossell, representing the Simpsons, said they want to divide the property into four lots. Approval was granted with the condition the drainage plan meets the county ordinance requirements.

In other business, the APC recommended approval for a vacation of a 70-foot long stub road in the Lake Breeze subdivision at Hoffman Lake for the McDillon family. Vacating the road would link properties together for the petitioner. It will be considered by the county commissioners May 19.