Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger

KOSCIUSKO — Kosciusko commissioners approved five rezoning requests as well as a road vacation request at their meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 21. 

Indiana University Foundation petitioned to rezone 5.5 acres from agricultural to residential. The land, which is the old Arnolt property, is owned by the IU Foundation and is located near the cemetery, on the west side of Second Street, north of Armstrong Road in Oswego. Attorney Steve Snyder, representing the IU Foundation, said the property was received as a gift and the intent is to develop it into four lakefront lots.

Area Planning Director Dan Richard stated that the APC recommends approval for Jeff Strombeck to rezone approximately 17.5 acres from agricultural to commercial on the north side of CR 500N at the intersection with SR 13 in Tippecanoe Township.

Approval was also recommended for Kurt Carlson to rezone the property from public use to agricultural on the north side of CR 550S, just east of SR 15 in Clay Township. This is an old church building which Carlson used while operating a furniture manufacturing shop for 20 years. He put the property up for sale last year and noted several people have expressed interest in living there, but the zoning would need to be changed first.

Orange Cat LLC petitioned to have 11.64 acres rezoned from public use to residential on the east side of Eastshore Drive, north of Northshore Drive in Turkey Creek Township. This is the southern portion of the former Smith Walbridge Camp. Approval for the petition was recommended by the APC.  

Approval was recommended for Rose Cotton to rezone 6.13 acres from agricultural to residential on the north side of CR 700S, east of Claypool Elementary School. The number of sell-offs allowed for the property has been exhausted, and Cotton would like to sell 2 acres so that her daughter can build a house on the back side of the property.

A roadway vacation petition from Jeff and Stacy Linnert was presented and recommended for approval. This is a small portion of public way at the end of EMS T3 Lane on Tippecanoe Lake.

Attorney Chad Miner informed commissioners that during the NIPSCO Reynolds to Topeka Project that ran through the county, a fair amount of damage was done to county roads. Kosciusko Highway Department Superintendent Scott Tilden figured the damage to be in excess of $83,000.  NIPSCO’s initial offer was $11,000, according to Miner.

“They are now offering $80,000 as full and complete settlement for the damage,” said Miner. “In order to move forward, NIPSCO would like a signed letter stating that $80,000 offer is acceptable.” Commissioners approved this.

Miner advised that a public meeting is scheduled for consideration of filing the Tippy-Chapman Regional Sewer District with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the North Webster Community Center.

Three Chapman Lake residents who were in attendance at the meeting expressed opposition to the proposed sewer system. Rick Couse, Vicente Garza and Elaine Kokenge voiced concerns to the commissioners.

“I’ve been a resident of Chapman Lake for 46 years,” said Couse. “We have a petition of over 200 family members at Chapman Lake who do not want the sewage system. We want it noted that there is opposition to this.”

Garza told commissioners there is an Indiana code rule stating that properties within 300 feet of a septic pipeline will be mandated. Garza is concerned that the state will require him to hook up to the system.

“The pipeline could potentially come up on CR 450N. If that happens, if I’m not mistaken, both Hawthorne and The Pines neighborhoods are within 300 feet of that pipeline,” said Garza. “So the state is going to take over regardless of what we’re being told and include Hawthorne after they’ve been exempt from the project.”

“I was under the impression that we lived in America,” said Kokenge. “I was not under the impression that it’s the American way to force things down people’s throats. If one or two people have problems with their sewer system, yes, I understand something needs to be done. I know people who have cars that don’t work – and they fix their cars all by themselves. In America, you’re not supposed to take all of your neighbors by the hand and say, ‘Okay we all need to get our cars fixed and we’re going to force the car that we want you to have on you.’”

Commissioner President Bob Conley suggested that the residents bring their concerns to the public meeting on Sept. 29. 

Other News:

• KABS Transportation General Manager Amanda Landis requested and was given approval for power of attorney in order to give Landis the right to sign for registration of new KABS buses. 
• Kosciusko County Clerk of the Court Ann Torpy requested and received signatures of the commissioners on a precinct boundary order. Torpy explained that the order will clarify council district lines, making it easier for voters at election time.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Pictured, in front, Area Planning Director Dan Richard; in back, County Administrator Marsha McSherry