WINONA LAKE - The Winona Lake Plan Commission tabled the pier ordinance again at Tuesday's meeting to make some changes.

Commission member Rolly Ortega mentioned the two biggest concerns about piers in the canal are structure and whether piers should be set up parallel or perpendicular to the sea wall.

Other issues include the date owners should have their piers taken down and the cost of renting space.

The plan commission added to the ordinance that piers must be removed by Nov. 1 and can be put back up April 1. The piers must be stored at the owner's or renter's expense and not just thrown up on the bank, said town manager Craig Allebach.

"Pier removed and stored off site," clerk-treasurer Retha Hicks suggested be put in the ordinance.

"That sounds good," commission member Craig Snow said.

The commission decided to take out of the ordinance the statement concerning whether piers should be parallel or perpendicular to the sea wall. They also decided to take out the statement saying piers cannot project more than 150 feet into the water. This is already mentioned in state regulation.

Hicks said rates can be done by resolution and do not need to be in the ordinance. Initial permit fees cost $15 and renewals cost $10. The current rental fee for space to set up a pier is between $60 and $70, said Hicks. She said this will have to be increased.

Allebach said the commission will make the changes and tabled the ordinance for the next meeting. [[In-content Ad]]