Commissioners OK Lake Path Vacation
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jordan Fouts-
Allen and Lisa Clough, owners of a Tippecanoe Township property on the lake, requested 10 feet be vacated of a 20-foot-wide, 50-foot-long lake access and drainage path carved out of their property when the neighborhood was established. She told commissioners she and her husband maintain the path and pay taxes on it, and would like the extra land as setback to allow expansion of their home.
Plan Director Dan Richard said the Area Plan Commission recommended allowing the vacation only if all property owners consented. Neighborhood resident Pat Meck told council at its Nov. 18 meeting that he and other property owners would agree to the vacation if the Cloughs would not object to their application for a pier at the end of the path.
Commissioners postponed their decision to give Meck a chance to find out from the State Department of Natural Resources if a pier is even feasible on the land. Meck did not attend the meeting this morning, though attorney Steve Snyder, representing the Cloughs, maintained that it’s not legally possible to place a pier there. He also said a 10-foot width still allows lake access.
“I’ve yet to see a snowmobile wider than 10 feet. I’ve yet to see a boat placed on the lake down this path wider than eight and a half feet,” Snyder remarked.
Commissioner Ron Truex later agreed that the access way was evidently meant to only be a foot path.
“I think it’s clear that this is a walking easement, and unless you had a very good Saturday night, most people have no problem walking within 10 feet,” he said.
Discussion also touched on why Meck was the only resident to come forward, Richard remarking that they might not realize what’s at stake. Snyder noted that there is an appeal process if neighbors don’t like the commissioners’ decision.
Commissioner Bob Conley eventually made the motion to allow the vacation if the Cloughs moved drainage to the middle of the path, which the other two commissioners approved.
Also this morning, World War II veteran Duane M. Gable was recognized as the Veteran of the Month. Gable, a 1939 Warsaw High School graduate who joined the military in 1942 and headed to coastal artillery school, earned distinctions during his tour of duty including both Pacific and European campaign medals.
County Veteran Affairs Officer Rich Maron shared highlights of Gable’s career including being stationed as infantry at Camp Lucky Strike under Gen. George Patton before crossing the Rhine. He also met Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and learned some cooking skills as a mess sergeant.
Gable retired at the rank of staff sergeant. He has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 73 years and was a general contractor for 50 years.[[In-content Ad]]
Allen and Lisa Clough, owners of a Tippecanoe Township property on the lake, requested 10 feet be vacated of a 20-foot-wide, 50-foot-long lake access and drainage path carved out of their property when the neighborhood was established. She told commissioners she and her husband maintain the path and pay taxes on it, and would like the extra land as setback to allow expansion of their home.
Plan Director Dan Richard said the Area Plan Commission recommended allowing the vacation only if all property owners consented. Neighborhood resident Pat Meck told council at its Nov. 18 meeting that he and other property owners would agree to the vacation if the Cloughs would not object to their application for a pier at the end of the path.
Commissioners postponed their decision to give Meck a chance to find out from the State Department of Natural Resources if a pier is even feasible on the land. Meck did not attend the meeting this morning, though attorney Steve Snyder, representing the Cloughs, maintained that it’s not legally possible to place a pier there. He also said a 10-foot width still allows lake access.
“I’ve yet to see a snowmobile wider than 10 feet. I’ve yet to see a boat placed on the lake down this path wider than eight and a half feet,” Snyder remarked.
Commissioner Ron Truex later agreed that the access way was evidently meant to only be a foot path.
“I think it’s clear that this is a walking easement, and unless you had a very good Saturday night, most people have no problem walking within 10 feet,” he said.
Discussion also touched on why Meck was the only resident to come forward, Richard remarking that they might not realize what’s at stake. Snyder noted that there is an appeal process if neighbors don’t like the commissioners’ decision.
Commissioner Bob Conley eventually made the motion to allow the vacation if the Cloughs moved drainage to the middle of the path, which the other two commissioners approved.
Also this morning, World War II veteran Duane M. Gable was recognized as the Veteran of the Month. Gable, a 1939 Warsaw High School graduate who joined the military in 1942 and headed to coastal artillery school, earned distinctions during his tour of duty including both Pacific and European campaign medals.
County Veteran Affairs Officer Rich Maron shared highlights of Gable’s career including being stationed as infantry at Camp Lucky Strike under Gen. George Patton before crossing the Rhine. He also met Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and learned some cooking skills as a mess sergeant.
Gable retired at the rank of staff sergeant. He has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 73 years and was a general contractor for 50 years.[[In-content Ad]]
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