The Lake County Board of Commissioners voted to declare the necessity of constructing sanitary sewer lines for the North Ridge sanitary sewer extension project in Madison Township, clearing the way for a public hearing and further design work.

Madison Township Administrator Tim Brown told the commissioners his board remains “very supportive” of the sewer project on U.S. 20 and is ready to move forward. Don Welsh, a property owner and co-owner of 5 Guys Development, said his firm’s 54-acre parcel on Route 20 with about 1,100 feet of frontage would benefit from sewer service and that the extension would “open up a whole bunch of Route 20 in Madison for development.”

The resolution declaring the project’s necessity was approved by the board. County utilities staff said the project was originally conceived in the mid-2000s, stalled after the 2008 recession and resurfaced recently with renewed feasibility because of federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Utilities staff said property owners will receive notices tomorrow and that a public hearing on the project is scheduled for Sept. 11; the county will proceed from the hearing to subsequent required steps.

A county representative described the planned extension as running essentially west from Green Road for several thousand feet along Northridge Road. Staff emphasized the long history of planning and said the township has been a cooperating partner throughout the project’s development.

The board recorded the commissioners’ ayes when the resolution was moved and seconded. No costs, final funding breakdown or construction start date were provided during the meeting; staff said the availability of ARPA funds creates the present opportunity but did not specify amounts. The county did not adopt final construction contracts at this meeting; the action declared the project necessary and set procedural next steps (public notice and hearing).

The utilities department indicated it will notify affected property owners and then proceed according to the outcomes of the public hearing and any necessary environmental or design approvals. The board’s action enables county staff to advance design and public-noticing requirements.