The Marshall County Planning Commission on July 24 heard public testimony and tabled a request from Bremen Missionary Church to vacate a portion of 2C Road between Elm Road and Washington Street in Bremen.

Staff presentation and recommendation

Staff member Nicholas presented the staff report and the TRC (Technical Review Committee) recommendation, saying the church owns lots north and south of the requested segment and that approval would remove an intersection and reduce paved county roadway. The staff memo advised that “conditions in the area have changed so as to defeat the original purpose of the road,” citing purchase and demolition of residences the road served. The report recommended approval subject to TRC conditions, including improving Washington Street to county road standards.

Why it matters

The vacation would remove an existing access point to Elm Road and shift local traffic patterns onto Washington Street and Third Road. Neighbors and emergency responders said the change could affect emergency access, drainage, and private septic and drain-field areas. Commissioners voted to table the matter until the town-level review is complete so local concerns can be addressed.

What proponents said

John Cameron Maroon, project surveyor for Adam Marsh, representing the church, described the request as allowing the church to use land it recently acquired north of the building for activities and possible future expansion. Ron Stichter, vice chairman of the church board, said the church is prepared to help pay to improve Washington Street and that losing one neighborhood access “is not that big of a deal” compared with safety gains for children using the property.

What opponents and neighbors said

Residents raised multiple concerns during a lengthy public comment period. Resident Brandon Grant said the vacation would add “one additional stop sign and one additional turn” for some drivers but supported the church’s safety rationale; he also described speeding on 2C Road and said shortening that stretch could reduce opportunities for high speeds.

Neighbor Sandy Bellenrod pressed the commission on drainage, asking, “What happens with the water?” and requested clarity about when any drainage study would be required. Staff and others noted Marshall County’s threshold: county stormwater rules apply at 4,000 square feet of new impervious surface, and an engineered drainage plan would be required if the church later added parking or more impervious area.

Keith Frane, director of operations for the town of Reuben and a nearby resident, said he had discussed the proposal with the town’s fire chief, who “will not take any of our larger trucks up Washington Street,” a point Frane said raises emergency-access concerns if the north access is removed. Multiple neighbors also said Washington Street is narrow, in poor condition, and that moving primary access there would require widening and resurfacing.

Utility and easement issues

The church told the commission it is negotiating with NIPSCO to reroute a 2-inch gas main up Washington Street so the main would continue to serve existing homes and avoid creating an easement across the vacated right-of-way; the church acknowledged it would pay relocation costs. Staff recommended that, if the vacation moves forward, the highway department confirm right-of-way corners and that the Town/County agree terms for utility relocation and street improvements.

Outcome and next steps

After debate and public comment, a motion to table the vacation until the next planning commission meeting carried on roll-call (yes: 6, no: 1, abstain: 1). Commissioners specified the item should return after the town’s (Bremen/Greenham/Raymond) review and any agreement about road improvements and utilities is reached. The TRC recommendation and staff report will remain part of the record; the commission did not adopt a formal approval at this meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to table the right-of-way vacation request (25 PC‑11): outcome — tabled until next meeting pending town agreement (roll-call recorded: yes 6, no 1, abstain 1).