Winona Hears About Upgrade For CR 250E

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By LAURA SLOOP, Times-Union Staff Writer-

WINONA LAKE - Plan Commission member Rolly Ortega updated board members on the proposed upgrading of CR 250E, Tuesday.

Ortega said the town was granted the monies to improve the road. Possible improvements include sidewalks, curbs and gutters and widening the road. Ortega said it could be up to two years before any construction is seen, due to paperwork. He also said he's been speaking with Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson and Bonar. Kosciusko County will fund 65 percent of the improvements and Winona Lake will fund 35 percent. The county and the town each are responsible for part of CR 250E.

Board member Dick Leaf said he hopes the Winona Lake Town Council is keeping the town engineer, Larry Long, informed of all plans for the project.

"I don't know what's being proposed," Long said. "I have not received anything at this point."

Long said he's working on storm drainage on the road. Possibilities for storm drainage include run-offs or curbs and gutters.

"I think we (town council) all feel we should go with curbs and gutters," Ortega told the commission.

Ortega said Leaf had a "good point of keeping Larry involved."

"I'm a consultant with the town and I don't interject unless you ask me because I charge for my time," Long said. "But I'm willing to help. I'm pretty familiar with that road because I lived on that road for 15 years."

Town manager Craig Allebach said he will get some information to Long, and Ortega said the town council will decide whether or not to accept federal funds for upgrading CR 250E at the town council meeting immediately following the plan commission's meeting.

In other business, Leaf raised some concerns on the town ordinance concerning private piers and sea walls.

The ordinance has "been in the books since 1974," clerk-treasurer Retha Hicks said. "The police and building commission could enforce (the) ordinance."

Possibilities discussed included pier size, boat lift size and requiring all residents to take piers out during the winter months. Commission members were concerned about leaving enough room in the canal for boats to get through. The canal is approximately 52 feet wide in most places.

Plan Commission president Mike Grill asked commission members to take a walk down West Canal Street within the next month to get a feel for the size. Grill also offered boat rides through the canal to any member who would like to understand the questions discussed first-hand. Commission members will be looking at proximity and ownership uses.

Leaf said he would contact state legislatures to see what the regulations are for pier and boat lift size.

Members of the Winona Lake Plan Commission include: Mike Grill, Randy Ruppel, Rolly Ortega, Dick Leaf and Craig Snow. [[In-content Ad]]

WINONA LAKE - Plan Commission member Rolly Ortega updated board members on the proposed upgrading of CR 250E, Tuesday.

Ortega said the town was granted the monies to improve the road. Possible improvements include sidewalks, curbs and gutters and widening the road. Ortega said it could be up to two years before any construction is seen, due to paperwork. He also said he's been speaking with Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson and Bonar. Kosciusko County will fund 65 percent of the improvements and Winona Lake will fund 35 percent. The county and the town each are responsible for part of CR 250E.

Board member Dick Leaf said he hopes the Winona Lake Town Council is keeping the town engineer, Larry Long, informed of all plans for the project.

"I don't know what's being proposed," Long said. "I have not received anything at this point."

Long said he's working on storm drainage on the road. Possibilities for storm drainage include run-offs or curbs and gutters.

"I think we (town council) all feel we should go with curbs and gutters," Ortega told the commission.

Ortega said Leaf had a "good point of keeping Larry involved."

"I'm a consultant with the town and I don't interject unless you ask me because I charge for my time," Long said. "But I'm willing to help. I'm pretty familiar with that road because I lived on that road for 15 years."

Town manager Craig Allebach said he will get some information to Long, and Ortega said the town council will decide whether or not to accept federal funds for upgrading CR 250E at the town council meeting immediately following the plan commission's meeting.

In other business, Leaf raised some concerns on the town ordinance concerning private piers and sea walls.

The ordinance has "been in the books since 1974," clerk-treasurer Retha Hicks said. "The police and building commission could enforce (the) ordinance."

Possibilities discussed included pier size, boat lift size and requiring all residents to take piers out during the winter months. Commission members were concerned about leaving enough room in the canal for boats to get through. The canal is approximately 52 feet wide in most places.

Plan Commission president Mike Grill asked commission members to take a walk down West Canal Street within the next month to get a feel for the size. Grill also offered boat rides through the canal to any member who would like to understand the questions discussed first-hand. Commission members will be looking at proximity and ownership uses.

Leaf said he would contact state legislatures to see what the regulations are for pier and boat lift size.

Members of the Winona Lake Plan Commission include: Mike Grill, Randy Ruppel, Rolly Ortega, Dick Leaf and Craig Snow. [[In-content Ad]]

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