[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6057546,"mediaKeyId","3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96","parentId",3305443,"title","Redevelopment updates: LML property clearance, parking-lot swap negotiations and revised jail cost proposal reviewed","audioSeconds",90,"startMs",2194000,"endMs",2284000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96&start=2194&end=2284","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96/thumbnail_2194000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6057546/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Redevelopment-updates-LML-property-clearance-parking-lot-swap-negotiations-and-revised-jail-cost-proposal-reviewed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057546-13edeb101daf2da756968e48369038d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409394&Signature=IJYrRRnYeVTL7mwoNT6aKauigmMbmvqPiwBH9Nc1uANYcACGOzlzBEMcjYuqfUfMl6i-zBoyl-XKJEB3cBE32F6o5ayxKQ5PYrX6cvYXNddykHZr-r7f7X5Ww5I-KN-R-mFxyGuZI6poKLMIPu17QQLDIS4V0zuvbki84d547FnQVtOV3Xq23uihxYuYGU1YOhUbYGIXzmpiySUieR8qNwPC5UWBpKBusIjltixe~JWKiVwO4Ql7hbG6OZnGaFNHdstj90v~A77G2cybH7NuMPq3JnqrN2iAZGbXQcbpfv5-VOtzZrJzmvnqDsRqCCHUFvDSS79yLHl0JoNf-C58Jg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-05-14T22:45:58.857Z","article","Redevelopment staff updated the Columbia City Common Council Tuesday on several property and facility projects, including ongoing work to clear the LML property, negotiations for a parking-lot swap with Whitley County, and further review of proposals for the county jail project.

The LML property has been under review for years; staff said they are awaiting final clearance on that site. Officials also described continued work on a proposed parking-lot swap at the corner of Jackson and Line streets with the county and said one remaining hurdle remains before the transaction proceeds.

Councilmembers discussed received proposals for the “new old jail” project. Redevelopment reported proposals were received, that pricing initially submitted appeared high (a $9 million figure was mentioned) and staff asked proposers to revise pricing. The mayor submitted the revised proposal to the city’s financial advisers for feasibility analysis.

Separately, staff commissioned a phase-2 environmental inspection for the Bill Smith Brothers property to evaluate whether it is suitable for future city development; no final decision on redevelopment or acquisition was recorded during the meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Council Meeting 05132025","oneSentenceSummary","City redevelopment staff reported progress on long-running LML property clearance, ongoing negotiations on a county parking-lot swap, and that jail renovation/reuse proposals were returned for updated pricing and review by financial advisers; a phase-2 environmental inspection was commissioned for a property under consideration.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057551,"City reports progress on Eagle Park grand opening, trail work, Community Crossings ramps and pool opening",173,1318000,1491000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96&start=1318&end=1491","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96/thumbnail_1318000.jpg","/articles/6057551/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/City-reports-progress-on-Eagle-Park-grand-opening-trail-work-Community-Crossings-ramps-and-pool-opening","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057551-11b91414b0dc3547cd8c3eff5ff89b00/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409394&Signature=W9v0z6jgpMdzDBU~uZK0lnFa3741vp2VPtv6xVWXZIIutrtIgAMn12tpUQxWtIB0fRxioB-7J-E245tlvoCZnLHdOBVZ8MKCWhuirw-NzlUa1ZdoaIhf8Uo4QCy8rFpH5XKe8Ibhmk0chEleD1Io3sOuhVF-9kWUpxP~ff0PapDMkpk~XgIitrjqqhFp7U71ztxYV5Dz7nIjw2hROzwA19cgkophKceiwk96~HVjuIrGuk1MqbRoE6FQ6tz6V~O2gk86eZB~YECmQKuqVKY6373gUpa-33WOPxEDjd4YAJflvljbzy-E3IntBZc2cvJE7eFhC96J6Axo8ecutTeEuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City department heads reported a cluster of construction and community events set for late May and summer during Tuesday’s council meeting, including the Eagle Park skate-park grand opening, trail and Main Street work, Community Crossings curb-ramp projects and the municipal pool opening for Memorial Day weekend.

Parks and community engagement staff said Eagle Park’s grand opening is scheduled Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., with a 5 p.m. ribbon-cutting, live DJ, bike and skateboard giveaways (organizers said donated items fund the giveaways) and stunt teams planned. Staff warned some sidewalks and final amenities may still be completed but said opening is timed to allow public use.

City engineering and public-works reports noted Main Street work that may reduce traffic to a single lane while an island is installed and the trail work progressing quickly. Community Crossings-funded concrete work will begin next week, including the replacement of curb ramps across multiple locations; crews have started locating utilities and coordinating with contractors.

Parks staff said the municipal pool will be circulating and scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend (May 24 referenced as ready-to-open timing). Staff also reported difficulties in securing lifeguard training through the Red Cross and that alternate training providers are being explored.

Public-works and utilities staff highlighted multiple ongoing projects: sewer taps installed on North Oak and West North streets to prevent cutting new pavement; sidewalk work at Eagle Glen; meter replacements; and routine maintenance tasks. Department heads described varying project durations—from brief meetings to two-hour board sessions—depending on agenda items.

","Department heads reported a busy spring: Eagle Park skate-park grand opening set for Saturday with donated giveaways, trail and Main Street work progressing, Community Crossings sidewalk and curb-ramp projects starting, and the municipal pool scheduled to open for Memorial Day weekend.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057555,"Council advances Ordinance 2025-3 to add three-wheeled golf carts to local vehicle rules",49,766000,815000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96&start=766&end=815","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96/thumbnail_766000.jpg","/articles/6057555/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-advances-Ordinance-2025-3-to-add-three-wheeled-golf-carts-to-local-vehicle-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057555-55c018a262722bdd5e49631b77fac44c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409395&Signature=N4TnG8PicQYZpc2Qc4Sos-UTo1fm0OUfCgPTF7aXnIS67GJ13lCVQw-ADXKmmWQT9iNKYs-5AX7EE2jquOc-h8vYkZdHiQV94B8YgGoG0un8lCW3uwG9XF-MQL2O1YOun2ElcI~xDI7kMyDc2bTEVmzMQj7ZW00D8M~b5le5los79ZacxTNtw0yFly~cXRGtBzLlA2gDru4lfrmNevATR2XO7qUAWtRwrR1BSLaxil5OC4mU2zDB16gcQ3nNbuoVU7gyv5MJSYHLt0z9D6XP1fcKE~EvrFOwdV~6lLJ78i0dUqQop6iCWruC99M4QgZjE5VQQgIp1NvceXNrmxkU9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City’s Common Council voted unanimously on first reading Tuesday to advance Ordinance 2025-3, which amends Chapter 73 (bicycles, unicycles, three-wheeled cycles and golf carts) to cover three-wheeled golf carts in city rules.

The change was requested by the police chief to recognize three-wheeled golf carts in the language of Title 7. The ordinance replaces references to “four-wheeled” vehicles with “three- or four-wheeled” where applicable.

Council moved and seconded the ordinance’s first reading and then approved moving it to a second reading at the next meeting. No substantive debate on operational restrictions was recorded during the meeting.

","Ordinance 2025-3, which amends the city code to include three-wheeled golf carts alongside four-wheeled vehicles in regulations for bicycles and similar devices, passed first reading unanimously and will return for a second reading.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057558,"Council approves compliance findings for four statement-of-benefit abatements, Brent Baucomen abstains",58,152000,210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96&start=152&end=210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96/thumbnail_152000.jpg","/articles/6057558/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-approves-compliance-findings-for-four-statement-of-benefit-abatements-Brent-Baucomen-abstains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057558-5175c7ee91d2c2d198bc780ce3809a11/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409395&Signature=ZSYyesABgUQB3FSzFIrV63~w3dSCdLryPO3aawWY18v2G6dFVbxRlrTTTX5L~G0xbpEypo0MDYgAJ1xzB6VeNeJ~sarHSjxyYXpBI1giAyv8dUEuN6tnXjrI~PRXopUb-Iow4tbltoipuQfERJlxLN70GXl-3B4Ctw1Z8DrNHcQ5wIA3rJsjrANL6U-1o~FLE0LS~UwYSD6polH09S5C3WvmrNJ2vX2F~syE7AUbRvHFNTd6iNNMw0yUEIS~dXISGJLP5ufGUza6Vdsuc1ZiKWDrrzofrk47U3kZ2MosudnqUaJMhYTnBZAQ82c5~GOZslr-XnLNjX3CqkgLCZtCbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia City Common Council voted to find four statement-of-benefit filings in compliance and to approve an additional one-year abatement where applicable during its May 13 meeting; the vote was 4–0 with one abstention.

Councilmember Jennifer moved to approve the four filings as a group; the motion was seconded and passed. Councilmembers Jenny, Tad, Jennifer and Dan voted in favor; Councilmember Brent Baucomen abstained.

The filings covered Ringling Properties, QIG (a related company), and an IMPA-related solar array, among others. Council discussion confirmed the filings were submitted on time and that the package included the solar array submission from IMPA. The council did not detail dollar amounts or the specific tax-increment terms in the public discussion.

No ordinance or contract changes were recorded; council action was the finding of compliance and the routine approval of any applicable additional one-year abatements. The council noted that the items were placed in the packet and that the motion bundled the four filings together for administrative efficiency.

","Columbia City councilmembers voted to find four statement-of-benefit filings in compliance and approved additional one-year abatements where applicable; one councilmember abstained from the vote.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6057561,"Columbia City council moves fence-code change to second reading to allow 4-foot ornamental front-yard fences",199,229000,428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96&start=229&end=428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3305443-7b3f13d2b571e4290935da7a43031c96/thumbnail_229000.jpg","/articles/6057561/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Columbia-City-council-moves-fence-code-change-to-second-reading-to-allow-4-foot-ornamental-front-yard-fences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6057561-e6527356cce4b694b11e1f62dc30aa22/orig.mp4?Expires=1776409395&Signature=Ad5UF7blJmT5zK9DrIUDl2k~rBaEoDvN~o58WD749TJaiCzMdMRlMRYcmSC~m4SIPRn-uv0YN6Nt04HZal08ktvMbcEzsQqqDWsZ8uRcVZYE-W0In9Dwebru5NnkOEd0sgGvvyDZb2hJ0SGrnCLfG4vLs81mXgR2dLIEnBM7twwHf8XMdfljcQxR5Cpig0oYch0wDs3eoywuW0rd8c9IXLBH7dSBS21CD~hH8ckgBIz1mDLI5SGgKr4WiqwXJmHb5du6GnXBrvVmLU4etD72lb3Mfb21UV-2-YtKNBXmoWzWicQ8dKQXadlU7aoB4IdoVXEIxTC3wvSRSvi2M2uuWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Columbia City Common Council advanced a zoning-text amendment on first reading Tuesday that would allow ornamental front-yard fences up to 4 feet, aligning standards so decorative fences are permitted at the same height as existing chain-link allowances.

The change, Ordinance 2025-4, was forwarded to the council with a favorable recommendation from the Columbia City Plan Commission and passed first reading unanimously; councilmembers moved the ordinance to second reading at the next meeting.

Nathan Belger, planning director, told the council the plan commission considered three options and recommended the option that allows “ornamental” front-yard fences up to 4 feet, explaining the amendment makes the rules consistent: “Currently we only have chain link allowed up to 4 feet, all other types being limited to 3 feet.”

Belger said the draft tightens material definitions (for example to clarify that chicken wire would not qualify as an ornamental fence) and included visual examples shown to the planning commission. He also noted a recent instance in which a property owner erected a fence in anticipation of the code change and was aware it could require enforcement action if the ordinance were not adopted.

Council discussion addressed sight-line safety at corners: Belger reminded members that the city’s site-visibility triangle (intersection sight lines) already restricts structures so that even a 3-foot fence would not be allowed between 2 and 8 feet of vertical clearance in those triangles. He added that the Board of Works retains authority to refine fence placement where right-of-way widths vary.

Councilmember comments cited a desire to give downtown residents more options for small front yards. The ordinance was read by title as “an ordinance amending the text of chapter 2 of the zoning ordinance,” and after a motion and second the council voted unanimously to move the ordinance to second reading.

The measure will return for a second reading at the council’s next scheduled meeting.

","The Columbia City Common Council voted unanimously on first reading to advance Ordinance 2025-4, a zoning-text amendment forwarded by the plan commission that would permit ornamental front-yard fences up to 4 feet where the code currently limits most materials to 3 feet.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Redevelopment updates: LML property clearance, parking-lot swap negotiations and revised jail cost proposal reviewed

City reports progress on Eagle Park grand opening, trail work, Community Crossings ramps and pool opening

Council advances Ordinance 2025-3 to add three-wheeled golf carts to local vehicle rules

Council approves compliance findings for four statement-of-benefit abatements, Brent Baucomen abstains

Columbia City council moves fence-code change to second reading to allow 4-foot ornamental front-yard fences