WINONA LAKE - The 18 residents of four apartments at 800 Park Ave. will have to find new homes.

The Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission Wednesday approved resolutions to remove the property at 800 Park Ave. from the existing economic development area and designate it a blighted area.

The redevelopment plan for this area also was approved.

When an area is designated as blighted it means the Redevelopment Commission decided there is a better use for that property. The property in question doesn't conform to the use of other property around it and has deteriorated to the point that it does not fit in the area for economic growth as far as the TIF district is concerned.

The property is owned by Ralph and Joellen Fitch of Larwill. It was already inspected by the Kosciusko County Health Department in 1998 and cited for numerous health code violations. On Aug. 24 the Health Department sent the Fitches a letter telling them the property was condemned and deemed unfit for human habitation.

When asked if 800 Park Ave. is another Glen Terrace situation, town coordinator Craig Allebach said, "The severity is not as great in this particular situation."

Allebach said all 18 residents will be relocated and nothing will be done until they have new homes.

"We will not throw people out on the street," said Allebach.

The resolutions and redevelopment plan must now go through the Plan Commission and the Town Council on Oct. 10. Then they will go back to the Redevelopment Commission Nov. 1 for public hearing and final approval.

Members of the Redevelopment Commission are: president Al Disbro, Judy Mugg, Dennis Daniels, Judy Reneker and Robert Piecuch. [[In-content Ad]]