At the request of Kosciusko County Assistant Planner Matt Sandy, the commissioners approved a plan to waive enforcement of three parts of the county's zoning ordinance for one year for those rebuilding homes and other buildings destroyed by tornado. Those using temporary housing on their property, such as a mobile trailer, while they rebuild can obtain a permit to do so without a public hearing. Public hearings for permits for two principal uses of property, such as two houses on the same plot of land, are also waived and fees normally charged for those who began building before getting a permit are dropped.Sandy said, in the wake of the storm, he and other county plan department employees traveled the area in Scott Township affected by the storm. "We were proactive," Sandy said. "We drove through the area and issued building permits."
Sandy said, using a laptop computer with a Geographic Information System, his department issued 17 on-site permits to property owners whose homes, barns or other buildings had been destroyed by the storm. Permits are required for those completely rebuilding a structure. Permits are not needed for repairs like replacing a roof or windows.
Sandy told the commissioners he thinks all the needed permits have been issued. However, he said, if any residents still need to obtain permits to rebuild and repair their property, they should contact the Kosciusko Area Plan office. Sandy said his department is not aiming to penalize those affected by the tornado, but rather to help them get their permits immediately. "Our concern is just getting the permits covered from that storm damage," he said.
To obtain a permit, call 574-372-2304.
Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock delivered a damage assessment to the commissioners. According to the assessment, 116 structures were affected by the tornado; 17 were destroyed, six suffered major damage and 17 suffered minor damage. Rock said now officials are waiting to hear whether federal aid will be sent to help rebuild the tornado damaged area which includes parts of Kosciusko, Elkhart and Marshall counties. Any county resident who has not yet reported tornado damage can do so by calling 574-267-7888.
