Winona Hears Kings Highway Traffic Safety Concerns, Lawns of the Court Report
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
WINONA LAKE – Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday heard a concern with pedestrian safety and lack of sidewalks on Kings Highway in the town. Harold Engel, 5th Street resident, presented a letter to the council and attended the meeting to discuss his worry, He had concerns with children and adults walking along Kings Highway from 7th Street to the traffic light at Park Avenue where there are not sidewalks. He said pedestrians walk in the road because there are no sidewalks on Kings Highway. He suggested three-way stop signs at 5th Street and Kings Highway, that the speed for the curve on Kings Highway between 7th and 5th Streets be posted at 15 miles per hour, and that Kings Highway between 5th Street and the traffic light at Park Avenue be posted at 25 miles per hour. Town Marshal Paul Schmitt said he will display a speed limit trailer on Kings Highway reminding drivers the speed limit is 30 miles per hour, and have an increased police presence in the area. Craig Allebach, town coordinator, said there is a program where the town could pay 50 percent of the costs for sidewalks, and residents could pay the other half. Terry Howie, councilman, suggested the town research the cost to install sidewalks on Kings Highway. In other business, the council heard a Lawns of the Court Subdivision report from Town Attorney Jim Walmer. Walmer said there are 15-foot access easements designated in the plat running north and south between the lots in the center of the subdivision. Walmer said these are private easements to be used only by the owners of the nine lots in the subdivision and a limited right for the town or utility providers to run utilities through the access easement if necessary. Connie Kaiser, Administration Boulevard resident, built a fence on her property that is adjacent to the Lawns of the Court and moved it over 7-1/2 feet and wants to keep the fence up. Walmer informed her it is a private matter and would need to be addressed with legal counsel. Jan and Jerry Nelson, Court Street residents, attended the meeting and encouraged the town and Lawns of the Court residents to work together on the easement issue. Jerry Nelson said if the easement is taken away other residents could be affected. “Connie gains the 7-1/2 feet in this easement by putting up a fence so no one can drive there, but you have now isolated the property which becomes a public matter,” Jerry said. Jerry asked the council to look at the easements. During the meeting, State Representative Dave Wolkins presented the town with a framed letter from the Indiana General Assembly recognizing the town for marking its 100th anniversary this year. Winona Happenings include MasterWorks Festival until July 16; Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Triathlon Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m.; Cutie Contest at Winona Lake Senior Center July 3 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and a Venetian Nights boat parade July 6 at 9:30 p.m. July 5 events include the Winona Lake Great Fourth of July Celebration in Winona Lake Park; Pops Concert at Hillside Amphitheatre at 8:30 p.m.; fireworks over Winona Lake July 5 at 10 p.m.; and the Firecracker 5K at Winona Lake Park July 6 at 8 a.m.
