Commissioner Beer defends homeowner
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Commissioner Maury Beer spoke in defense of a homeowner and himself Tuesday in light of Maple Leaf's extensive expansion plans.
Beer told company officials Tuesday that concerns of a nearby homeowner must be addressed before the Kosciusko County commissioners support extensive road improvements needed to accommodate Maple Leaf Farm's expansion plans.
The Milford-based company announced plans Tuesday to greatly expand its operations and asked for county support to upgrade CR 200E and 900N to accommodate the expansion.
Company officials, working with highway superintendent Ken Traylor, told the commissioners that elevations on CR 200E need significant corrections and that both roads need to be widened for truck traffic.
The company's three-pronged expansion project includes construction of a $2.5 million state-of-the-art cold storage center. Construction is slated to begin this fall and would centralize storage of food products currently kept in South Bend, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Within the next two years, the company will also begin a $2 million expansion of its subsidiary Serenade processing plant, which is located west of the existing Maple Leaf facility on CR 200E.
Expansion of Maple Leaf's corporate offices - a $1.5 million project - is also planned.
Expansion of the Serenade processing plant would result in about 50 additional jobs, officials said.
Company officials were joined by Kosciusko Development Inc. president Charlie Sparks in asking the county to request grant money from the Indiana Department of Commerce for the road improvements, which are expected to cost about $1.1 million.
But Beer said the company must first work with a homeowner whose property would be severely affected by the plan.
The home, which was recently renovated, is located just a few feet from CR 900N.
Beer said the house sits so close to the road that snowplow crews are routinely reminded to drive slowly past the house for fear that flying snow could "blow out the windows."
The improvement would move the road a few feet closer.
Beer said the likely solution would be to relocate the residence.
Maple Leaf officials said they couldn't make a commitment to the county because they're unsure what the homeowner might seek.
A spokesman for Maple Leaf said he believed the normal step toward identifying any problems would start with a survey conducted by the county.
Beer said a survey isn't needed; just a quick look would suffice.
Beer afterward said Maple Leaf's proposal was a "great idea," but added, "Our taxpayers have to be protected."
He expressed concerns about the company's lack of interaction with the homeowner.
He also voiced concern about the impact the project would have on his own farm, located nearby. He questioned where water might drain and feared that one possible solution - construction of a new ditch - would divide his 160-acre farm.
Sparks said afterward he believed the company had been reasonable in trying to work with adjacent property owners.
The homeowner was invited to a meeting, but couldn't make it because it was scheduled during the day, Beer said.
Sparks said they would like to submit a grant request to the state for assistance on the roadwork as soon as possible.
The grant could possibly cover 20 percent of the project.
Beer made it clear he doesn't believe the county would be responsible for any of the costs of relocating the residence. [[In-content Ad]]
Commissioner Maury Beer spoke in defense of a homeowner and himself Tuesday in light of Maple Leaf's extensive expansion plans.
Beer told company officials Tuesday that concerns of a nearby homeowner must be addressed before the Kosciusko County commissioners support extensive road improvements needed to accommodate Maple Leaf Farm's expansion plans.
The Milford-based company announced plans Tuesday to greatly expand its operations and asked for county support to upgrade CR 200E and 900N to accommodate the expansion.
Company officials, working with highway superintendent Ken Traylor, told the commissioners that elevations on CR 200E need significant corrections and that both roads need to be widened for truck traffic.
The company's three-pronged expansion project includes construction of a $2.5 million state-of-the-art cold storage center. Construction is slated to begin this fall and would centralize storage of food products currently kept in South Bend, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Within the next two years, the company will also begin a $2 million expansion of its subsidiary Serenade processing plant, which is located west of the existing Maple Leaf facility on CR 200E.
Expansion of Maple Leaf's corporate offices - a $1.5 million project - is also planned.
Expansion of the Serenade processing plant would result in about 50 additional jobs, officials said.
Company officials were joined by Kosciusko Development Inc. president Charlie Sparks in asking the county to request grant money from the Indiana Department of Commerce for the road improvements, which are expected to cost about $1.1 million.
But Beer said the company must first work with a homeowner whose property would be severely affected by the plan.
The home, which was recently renovated, is located just a few feet from CR 900N.
Beer said the house sits so close to the road that snowplow crews are routinely reminded to drive slowly past the house for fear that flying snow could "blow out the windows."
The improvement would move the road a few feet closer.
Beer said the likely solution would be to relocate the residence.
Maple Leaf officials said they couldn't make a commitment to the county because they're unsure what the homeowner might seek.
A spokesman for Maple Leaf said he believed the normal step toward identifying any problems would start with a survey conducted by the county.
Beer said a survey isn't needed; just a quick look would suffice.
Beer afterward said Maple Leaf's proposal was a "great idea," but added, "Our taxpayers have to be protected."
He expressed concerns about the company's lack of interaction with the homeowner.
He also voiced concern about the impact the project would have on his own farm, located nearby. He questioned where water might drain and feared that one possible solution - construction of a new ditch - would divide his 160-acre farm.
Sparks said afterward he believed the company had been reasonable in trying to work with adjacent property owners.
The homeowner was invited to a meeting, but couldn't make it because it was scheduled during the day, Beer said.
Sparks said they would like to submit a grant request to the state for assistance on the roadwork as soon as possible.
The grant could possibly cover 20 percent of the project.
Beer made it clear he doesn't believe the county would be responsible for any of the costs of relocating the residence. [[In-content Ad]]