Chairman Lee Harman, left, chats with Matt Goodnight before the APC meeting in Warsaw Wednesday, April 3. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Due to potential visibility and traffic issues, a preliminary plat proposal was tabled at the regular meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission Wednesday, April 3.

Morgedy’s petition for preliminary plat approval is for a commercial subdivision on an 18.886-acre tract of ground.

The property is located on the east side of SR 13, north of CR 400N in North Webster.

Loose Moose Motorsports wants to move its operations to the site for retail sales, such as ATVs. The big question is how traffic can access the property in the safest manner. The petitioner’s attorney, Steve Snyder, said the most logical and safest manner is on CR 400N. It is the most cost effective, too, he said.

“It’s a safer entrance,” Snyder said. “We propose moving the access to CR 400 as far east as we can. It’s a major intersection.”

Visibility to the south and the north was the major issue. According to INDOT, a recommended distance for traffic visibility is 633 feet, Snyder noted.

APC Director Matt Sandy, however, disagreed, showing board members a video of the intersection. He said the area is “heavily traveled” and traffic visibility on SR 13 is one of the issues at the intersection.

Snyder argued, stating that “we meet INDOT’s requirements.”

“This is not an accident-prone intersection,” Snyder stated.

A traffic study was conducted. Sixteen accidents have been reported in a 10-year time period, but no fatalities. An engineer said, “it is an extremely dangerous intersection.”

A property owner who lives near the site said he has had nothing but problems with the existing owner.

Brian and Christine Hinderer, who live on CR 400, said they deal with noise and litter, among other issues.

“This is the stuff I am dealing with,” he said.

He said no buffer, fences or trees were ever planted to keep the noise and view from being a problem. If an exception use is granted, buffers could become a part of the petition if approved.

After debating the visibility issues, the board decided to table the case until next month’s meeting. The county highway department will also be consulted on the matter for its suggestion.

Saint Andrews United Methodist Church in Syracuse requested a petition to rezone 2.23 acres from a public use district to a commercial district.

The property is located on the west side of Long Drive, east of Indiana Avenue.

A Syracuse resident wants to buy the property and use it as a storage and warehouse, which is a permitted use, according to a zoning ordinance.

The petition was given a favorable recommendation. It will go before the Syracuse Town Council at 7 p.m. April 16.

Eric and Cara Erlenwein’s petition for preliminary plat approval for an agricultural II subdivision on a 20.33 acre tract of ground was approved.

The property is located on the north side of CR 900 North, east of SR 13 in Turkey Creek Township.

An ordinance pertaining to cargo containers will be heard at the next meeting, which is at 1 p.m. Wednesday, May 1. The public is invited. The revised ordinance may be approved at the meeting, depending on the outcome at next month’s meeting.

Two men, Dale and Adam Custer, said they are in favor of the ordinance as is the chamber of commerce, Warsaw, and other businesses, according to a petition. Both men own businesses in Warsaw, one being self-storage units.