County Commission Moves Forward with Controversial Jail Site Plan

The Owen County Advisory Plan Commission convened for a supplemental meeting focused solely on the Owen County Redevelopment Resolution, which aims to facilitate the acquisition of property for a proposed new jail site in Spencer. The meeting commenced with a pledge of allegiance, followed by a roll call confirming the presence of key commission members.

Legal counsel for the Redevelopment Commission, Mr. Meeks, clarified that the resolution presented was under a different legal framework than the commission typically operates within, specifically referencing Indiana Code related to redevelopment rather than local planning and zoning. He explained that the Redevelopment Commission's primary role is to oversee economic development areas and that the current proposal involves amending the existing economic development plan for the State Road 43 corridor.

The proposed acquisition is part of a strategic plan to secure a suitable site for a new jail, which would involve a property exchange with a local landowner. This exchange aims to provide the county with a location that has essential infrastructure, such as access to water and sewer, while the landowner would gain a piece of county property deemed difficult to develop.

Commission members expressed the need for thorough due diligence before proceeding, including environmental assessments and cost evaluations related to infrastructure development. The process will also require public hearings and further approvals from the county's Board of Commissioners before any final decisions are made.

This meeting marks a significant step in Owen County's efforts to address its jail facility needs while navigating the complexities of property acquisition and redevelopment under Indiana law.