Commissioners approve vacation of two platted rights-of-way in Weimer's Park area after residents cite safety concerns

Kosciusko County commissioners voted unanimously to vacate two older platted rights-of-way in the Weimer's Park/Barbee area after the planning commission recommended approval and several nearby property owners described repeated misuse and safety risks.

Planning staff presented the petition as two platted alleys: a short north–south stub that has been made impassable by riprap placed to stabilize a hill, and an east–west strip that has become a de facto driveway and contains large trees that residents said pose hazards when driven at high speed. Matt, planning staff, told commissioners the planning commission heard remonstrances but ultimately forwarded a favorable recommendation to vacate the rights-of-way.

Attorney Steve Snyder, representing the petitioners, described site conditions and the remedial riprap work that rendered the north–south alley nontraversable. He said the county's ordinance preserves the sewer district's easement rights even after a vacation, and the petition includes the protective language approved by the sewer district.

Several nearby owners spoke in support of the vacation. Hope Benfield, who owns the two properties adjacent to the stub, said the roadway is about "3 feet from our bedroom window" and that off-road vehicles have driven the strip "at 02:30 in the morning," creating safety concerns. She told commissioners, "We're just worried that sometime they may go into the gas meter into our bedroom" and asked that the right-of-way be closed to prevent future incidents.

Steven Maferra, speaking on behalf of his father, said the platted streets "have never been developed into a functional roadway" in his family's 51 years at the address and that the strips have not been necessary for regular public access. Lawrence Stoffel and Ron Short also told commissioners they considered the narrow, steep gravel strip a safety hazard.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to accept the planning commission's unanimous recommendation; a second was made and the motion carried by voice vote.

The board's action will split the vacated areas among adjacent property owners as described in the recorded petition; any existing public sewer easements will remain in effect, consistent with the planning staff recommendation and the county's ordinance. No formal opposition was recorded at the hearing.