Despite the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission's opposition, the county commissioners unanimously approved Ronald Koepke's vacation petition Tuesday.

The vacation is for a 20-foot platted road in Indian Hills Subdivision, Syracuse, on East North Shore Drive, between lots 19 and 21.

Steve Snyder, speaking on behalf of Koepke, said an easement for drainage will be provided as will a dry hydrant. The road has never been open in its more than 42 years of existence. By vacating the road, Koepke will be able to add on to his residence. No rights will be eliminated with the vacation, Snyder said, and it will get the road on the tax rolls.

Matt Sandy, area plan commission, said the Syracuse Fire Department submitted a letter to the commissioners that vacating the road will have an adverse effect. When an emergency department makes such comments, Sandy said, they mean something.

Snyder said he wouldn't argue that the fire department needs a way to the lake, but this road isn't it. With a dry hydrant in place, the fire department will gain an advantage. Also, emergency vehicles can go anywhere they want in an emergency according to state law, Snyder said.

Area plan director Dan Richard said the plan commission looks at the intangibles for the future when they look at vacations. "We're here looking out for the public at large" for the future, he said. While Koepke is taking care of his neighbors with the vacation, the commissioners need to look at how the vacation will affect the rest of the public in the long run.

County commissioner Ron Truex asked Sandy if the only thing the county was giving up was an easement they didn't even know existed. Sandy replied that's true, but there's always the future use of the road to consider.

Richard suggested before the vacation was approved, the petitioner go before the Kosciusko County Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance so he could build his house addition without the vacation. Snyder said the BZA wouldn't approve a variance at zero feet, as would be needed.

Truex made a motion to approve the vacation and it was approved.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Heard from county clerk Sharon Christner that the election board has selected a new voting machine that has a touch screen and is adaptable for the blind and handicapped.

"The screen is very easy to read," she said. A demonstration on the machines will be held in Sarasota, Fla., she said, and she will be asking for additional funds in two weeks so she can attend the demonstration with Bob Momeyer, county systems administrator.

• Reapproved the contract for the sheriff's department with the state for the community transition program. The state deemed its own contract inadequate, according to county sheriff Aaron Rovenstine, and sent another.

"They changed their minds on their own contract," he said.

• Approved the placement of the United Way thermometer on the courthouse lawn from Sept. 6 to Nov. 15.

• Approved the endorsement of a Pathfinder Services grant application.

• Approved changes to the Justice Building project in the total amount of $15,070. These include changes required to improve the function of the dryers in the sheriff's department and changes to correct piping problems in the old portion of the building.

• Approved a software support agreement with ESI Computer Solutions for software in the sheriff's department.

• Approved revisions in county ordinances regarding work on county road rights of way. The major changes will lower the fines and fees.

Members of the Kosciusko County commissioners are Brad Jackson, Ron Truex and Avis Gunter. They meet at 9 a.m. in the county courthouse, Warsaw, every other Tuesday. [[In-content Ad]]