La Porte RDC authorizes appraisals to pursue conveyance of Kingsbury property, seeks easement donations

The La Porte County Redevelopment Commission voted to authorize staff to solicit two appraisals, subject to County Commissioners' approval, for county-owned property in Kingsbury and instructed staff to send registered mail to property owners requesting donation of easements.

Guy DiMartino and commissioners described a plan to ask the county commissioners to convey the county-owned parcel on 3rd Line Road in Kingsbury to the RDC so the commission could dispose of or repurpose the property for access improvements. The RDC member presenting the item recounted that the parcel took title to the county at a tax sale and that the commission previously completed a Phase I environmental assessment and applied for an EPA grant that was not awarded.

The commission discussed the need for two appraisals before issuing an RFP and for careful disposition that protects the county from liability. A motion to authorize Matt and Guy DiMartino to solicit two appraisals, subject to the commissioners' approval, was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Separately, the commission said it would send registered receipt letters to owners of property in Kingsbury seeking donations of easements to facilitate road improvements for the Kingsbury Industrial Park. Presenters said surveys and easement boundaries have been completed and that the cover letter to owners will explain the purpose of the easement, what will happen when it is accepted and the county's plan to seek funds to make roadway improvements.

Commissioners postponed formal adoption of a declaratory resolution expanding the redevelopment plan area until the map and base assessed values could be corrected and reviewed; the draft resolution will be formalized and returned at a future meeting.