A variance for a new addition 45 feet from the Nickler Arm of the Dausman Drain was unanimously approved by the Kosciusko County Drainage Board Thursday.

"Basically," said Kyle Newcomer, representing The Old Order Amish Church, of the addition, "it's just a barn out back."

Dick Kemper, Kosciusko County surveyor, said the current building is 57 feet from the arm. "It's in the easement now." He said approval of the variance was required to move the setback closer to the arm. "I don't think 45 feet is a problem."

The other end can't be added onto, Newcomer said, because there is equipment and other items at that end.

The property is at approximately CRs 900N and 425W, Kemper said, west of Ind. 15 and east of Ind. 19. The land is flat and there are "no trees, no brush to worry about."

In another matter, the board approved hearing a petition by approximately 45 landowners near Silver Creek Drain, Silver Lake, for an annual maintenace fund to be set up for it.

There is no current fund for the drain now, Kemper said, and it will be up to the board on how much of it the county wants to maintain.

Kemper will present figures on the petition at the December Drainage Board meeting but the public hearing on the petition will be sometime after that.

The board directed Kemper to calculate the figures based on a preliminary minimum assessment of $25.

The next meetings of the drainage board will be Nov. 16 and Dec. 14, both at 9:15 a.m. in the county courthouse.

Members of the drainage board include: President Brad Jackson, Donald Goon, Eldon Watkins, Maurice McDaniel and Dorris Harrold. [[In-content Ad]]