Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - A vacation request sought by Harry Langford, Elaine Langford and Jane Cook failed to be recommended by the Winona Lake Plan Commission Tuesday.
The petitioner's attorney, Rick Helm, who presented a similar request in the spring, advised the board the request was duly advertised and was scheduled for a public hearing later in the evening.
Letters in favor of the vacation, a 28-foot-wide unlabeled parcel, as well as photographs picturing current use of the property, were presented to commissioners Mike Grill, Rolly Ortega, Craig Snow, Randy Ruppel and Lynette Dick.
While the area may have been intended to be an extension of Spring Street, it ceased to be used as a fire lane, where a fire department pumper would have sucked water from the lake for storage, in 1961 when one of the vehicles became mired in the mud and the neighbors helped push the vehicle out.
Since then hydrants have been installed.
"If you don't have any plans," Helm said, "be advised this has been referred to you for comment."
Grill said he wanted more information. He wondered if it hadn't been vacated before so people without lake access could get to the lake.
"Oh, but Mike," Cook said, "you're our neighbor. You've been there for years. You know the public has never used it."
A letter from the 1987 town council also indicated that the parcel was never intended as a public beach or easement.
Brent Wilcoxson of Winona Restoration Co. suggested that there was a public beach 300 feet away and accessible across a foot bridge.
The planners did not comment further and continued the item to September.
Building inspector Dick Leaf asked the board for some code interpretations.
He said one property has rented eight piers and another has four spaces rented. The piers front their property but Leaf wondered if this is what was intended. He said there is a demand for the spaces and at least seven people are on a waiting list.
The piers with a 20-foot easement rent for $100 to Winona Lake residents and $150 to seasonal residents.
Leaf said there have been no complaints about the multiple rentals, he just wants the procedure clarified.
Leaf also said the sign ordinance reads that temporary or portable signs can be on display 30 days with a 30-day extension.
The signs are to be free-standing.
In the case of one contracting business, a sign also used as free-standing has been nailed to a tree. On the other side of the tree is an antiques business sign. Leaf didn't think this was proper posting for the businesses, although the tree was on the contractor's property.
Plan commission members are Mike Grill, Rolly Ortega, Craig Snow, Randy Ruppel, Lynette Dick and Mark Workman. Workman was absent Tuesday.
