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MILFORD - Even though the Kosciusko County Area Plan commission previously already approved the preliminary plat for the North Park Subdivision in Milford, Bob Bowerman still questioned if the subdivision was appropriate for Milford.
At Monday's town council meeting, Bowerman said when he went to the ARC meeting, he heard the lots were reduced to the smallest size possible and the houses were going to be built on slab with no basement. He questioned the effect the subdivision would have on his property that is near the subdivision.
When the subdivision was proposed a few years ago, Bowerman said, the proposed lot sizes were supposed to be bigger and the houses would include basements.
The town already has taken in the first part of the subdivision, Bowerman said, and he wanted to hear from the town council if they are "truly comfortable" with the subdivision.
He asked if the homeowners in the subdivision could add on to their houses. If not, he said, the community in the subdivision will be a transient community - not something he is in favor of having out there.
"Is this really what the town wants to inherit at this point?" he asked.
Dallas Winchester, utilities superintendent, said an additional 60 lots are expected at the subdivision. The minimum size of each lot is 10,000 square feet, with a minimum frontage of 75 feet. The maximum square footage of each lot is 13,000.
Winchester said each house has to have a two-car garage, minimum living space and paved driveways. He said he didn't think it would be a transient community and said the word transient is a strong word. He said he hopes the subdivision brings people to Milford.
If any homeowner wants to make any improvements to their home in the subdivision, Winchester said, they will have to get a variance.
Town attorney Jay Rigdon told Bowerman the town, like any government entity, has the right to zone itself. Milford has chosen to give that responsibility to the county Area Plan Commission for setting minimum standards. If the subdivision meets the standards, then the plan commission must approve it. The town's only involvement is for occasional input if the plan commission asks for it.
Winchester said when the town received the preliminary plat for the subdivision from the contractor, the town reviewed it and made recommendations.
"We added in quite a bit to that," he said.
Initially, Winchester said, the town didn't really want to extend water and sewer services to the subdivision, but after consideration, felt more comfortable with doing that than having an additional 60 septic tanks there.
In other business, the town council:
• Approved a bid of $2,650 from Ortman Drilling, Kokomo, for drilling the well for the new wastewater treatment facility, plus a $50 per month rental charge.
• Voted to give the fire department's 1982 Ford Pumper to the volunteer fire department.
• Heard fall cleanup is Sept. 25-26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sept. 27 from 8 a.m. to noon at the street department, 600 N. Main St., Milford. No appliances with freon will be taken, nor will tires on rims or chemicals, paints or thinners. Lead acid batteries will be taken.
• Heard the railroad crossings will be closed for repairs: First Street, Sept. 8-11; Syracuse Street, Sept. 15-19; Catherine and Fourth streets, to be announced. Anyone with questions should call Norfolk Southern Track Supervisor Ron Carpenter at 765-384-4367 or pager, 888-800-5397.
• Heard hydrants will be flushed Sept. 18.
• Approved moving the October meeting to Oct. 6.
• Approved Halloween Trick or Treat to be Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Heard final budget adoption will be at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
• Heard the fire department chicken barbecue will be Oct. 5 at the fire station, beginning at 11:30 a.m., and will be drive-through or carry-out. Any Milford fireman has tickets for sale.
Members of the Milford Town Council present Monday were Douglas Ruch and John Lehman. Not present was Bob Phillips.
