North Webster Hears Report About Park Board's 5-Year Plan
NORTH WEBSTER - The town council began its new year Wednesday by electing Kay Andrews president and setting the meeting date for the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. The board heard from Tim Kelty of R.P.Murphy and Associates regarding the park board's five-year plan, a project required by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources for grant application purposes. Kelty said a new idea in the state is a requirement for developers to set aside a portion of a subdivision for recreational purposes.The idea would involve a change in zoning ordinances. He said the park board's rough draft includes the set-aside requirement, a plan for a fishing pier to extend from the observation deck into the lake; the purchase of its own sound system for musical programs; and the possibilities of taking over surplus and/or abandoned government property, such as the soon-to-be abandoned North Webster Elementary School building and grounds.
Zoners Table Car Dealership, Auction Variance
An applicant's request to operate a used car dealership and auction in Warsaw was tabled Monday night for more research. The Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals tabled applicant Donald Bays' variance of use request to do business as Tri Lakes Auction at 740 W.Winona Avenue. Board member Dan Hampton made the motion to table the request to allow Bays to meet with the Warsaw Plan Department and discuss parking adequacy, surface, lighting and occupancy at the facility. Board members agreed more research was needed before a variance could be approved. The variance would allow Bays to operate a used car dealership and auction at the location.He expects to have three employees, including himself and two family members.The hours of operation would be 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.Monday through Saturday, with auctions periodically in the evenings two nights a week beginning at 7 p.m.until the merchandise is sold.
Emergency Planners Offer Immunizations
State law has required students in grades 9-12 be immunized against hepatitis B since the 2005-06 school year. To help students get the vaccines, and as a mini-practice run for mass vaccinations in the event of a pandemic flu, members of the Local Emergency Planning Committee are offering the shots to students during the next week. On Aug.10, from 2 to 4 p.m., the shots will be given at Wawasee High School, Syracuse; Warsaw Community High School, Aug.14, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School, Akron, Aug.15, from 7 to 9 p.m.
Mentone Again Seeking Library Grant
MENTONE - No remonstrators came forward Monday at the start of the Mentone Town Council meeting during a hearing about a grant application for the library project. Bob Murphy of R.P.Murphy & Associates, Larwill, presented information for the town's third attempt at securing an Indiana Department of Commerce grant for the new library. Funding for the project, which includes a day care center and senior citizen center, has twice been denied by the IDOC - once because the day care center didn't have its nonprofit status and once because the actual plans for the day care weren't established.
APC Prefers Original Plans For Lake; Sets Stage For CVS In Syracuse
Area Plan Commissioners voted Wednesday against recommending a Mastercraft Construction (case 05025Z) petition to rezone 0.434 acres from an agricultural district to a residential district. A part of Melody Acres, the original plat calls for the development of a lake in this area, known as Outlot 1, located on the west side of Lakeview Boulevard in Wayne Township. Mastercraft Construction owner Jeremy Makinson requested the rezoning. Melody Acres residents presented a four-page petition against residential development. The proposal will be heard by the Kosciusko County Commissioners during their Aug.23 meeting.Voting against the rezoning were plan commission members Vic Virgil, Dick Kemper, Kelly Easterday, Hal Strong, Norm Lovell and Don Arms.Voting in favor of the item were Kevin McSherry and Larry Copeland.Charles Haffner was out of the room at the time of the vote.
Planners OK Plat For Husky Trail Subdivision
With continuous reminders of traffic concerns, the Warsaw Plan Commission approved a preliminary plat for Husky Trail subdivision Monday, the first step in incorporating 113 residential units along Husky Trail. Both commission officials and residents expressed concerns of increased activity along Husky Trail, which has both Harrison Elementary and multiple apartment complexes already existing in the area. Casey Erwin, senior project manager for the Husky Trail subdivision, said the company he represented, Harrison Lake Development, was well aware of traffic situations in the surrounding neighborhoods, and provided statistics from both traffic counts and trip generators to show how congestion would be affected. Warsaw's Traffic Commission recommended approval of the preliminary plat during a Jan.5 meeting where it estimated the site plan would incur 8-to-13 percent of all traffic on Husky Trail.
Winona Hears About Upgrade For CR 250E
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.
Grace Planning New Student Recreation Center
WINONA LAKE - Grace College and Seminary is in the final stage of devising a three-part plan to raise $2.1 million to renovate the Danek building and make a new student recreation center. According to John Boal, chief advancement officer, 70 percent of Grace students participate in intramural sports activities. Lancer Gymnasium opens for practices at 5:30 a.m.and shuts its doors after 11 p.m. "In the fall we have college women's volleyball and the men's and women's basketball teams practicing along with all the intramural sports," Boal said."In the spring, it's baseball and track practice, too.So the need for us is huge." In December 1999, Grace purchased the 81,000-square-foot Danek building adjacent to campus through a $750,000 gift from Robert and Frances Gordon. The Gordons live in Grace Village and Boal described them as "just friends of Grace." The rec center will be named after the couple.
Warsaw Council Leery Of Plan Dept. Fee Revisions
The Warsaw City Council is looking askance at proposed fee changes by the planning and building department. In considering a report by city planner Jeff Noffsinger and his staff, the council is taking a look at increases in the fees charged for building permits, inspections and the filing of petitions for variances, special exceptions and annexations. "A lot of these fees have been stagnant for years.And I would agree that some adjustment may need to be made to them, but I'm not sure all of this (revision proposal) is appropriate," Wiggins said. City councilman Mac Silveus concurred, saying any changes should be incremental. "I just think this proposal is too much too fast," he said. The proposed fee changes include: • Variance from development standards and special exception requests - $75 per request.Currently there is no charge. • Use variance requests - $150 per request.Currently there is no charge.
Sacred Heart Parish Planning Addition
Sacred Heart Parish is planning an 8,135-square-foot addition to the buildings at 125 N.Harrison St.in Warsaw. Monday, Architectural Design Group representative William Lamie presented a variance from development standards to allow a 7.5-foot setback on the property, before the Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals, which was approved.Developmental standards in an R-1 zone call for a 15-foot side yard setback. "The current configuration of the existing building on the lot does not allow for any additional growth to occur without encroaching into the building setbacks," said city planner Jeremy Skinner.The chapel, offices and school facilities are bordered by Harrison, Fort Wayne, Lindberg and Center streets. Skinner recommended approval of the petition, noting the current configuration of the existing buildings does not allow for additional growth without encroaching into the building setbacks.
Commissioners Hear KDI Pitch
Kosciusko County Commissioners unanimously decided this morning to recommend a new development plan and budget for Kosciusko Development Inc. to the county council.
Warsaw Recieves Funding for Downtown Bike Racks
Bicyclists who visit downtown Warsaw now have a place to temporarily keep their bicycles.
Nine Vie For 4-H Queen, King Titles
Five girls and four boys are competing this year for the 2013 Kosciusko County 4-H Fair Queen and King title.
