Planning commission backs vacation of platted street stub near Seacrest Lake, 7–1 recommendation

The Kosciusko County Plan Commission voted to recommend that the county commissioners vacate two platted rights-of-way (a north–south stub and an east–west section) between properties near Seacrest Lake. The commission’s recommendation passed by a 7–1 vote and will go to the county commissioners for final action on October 21.

Petitioner Hope Benefield and counsel Steve Snyder told the commission the platted ways had not functioned as public thoroughfares for years and now posed a public-safety hazard because of irregular riprap, steep grades and recreational use by all‑terrain vehicles and golf carts. Snyder told the commission the sewer district’s grinder pump and line run through the area; the applicant has revised the proposed ordinance to reserve an easement for the sewer…