Landowner says $43,000 detention-pond cost sparked dispute over May 1 law, board to inspect site

During public comment at the Nov. 24 Noble County Drainage Board meeting, Resident Speaker 5 described building a barn and installing a detention pond that cost about $43,000 and asked why the detention requirement applied. Speaker 5 said the barn footprint was about 0.77 acres and that the detention system, tile and dirt work had driven the cost higher.

"So you're in violation of the law," Speaker 1 told the resident during the exchange, referring to a law the board discussed and that Speaker 1 said took effect May 1. Multiple board members and staff debated whether the relevant triggering metric is building size or land-disturbance area. Speaker 3 said permitting and disturbance definitions needed to be reviewed and invited the resident to provide documentation.

Speaker 1 also raised an alleged financial concern: he said an employment record shows an extra $10,000 a year labeled 'stormwater' is paid to county staff and suggested that simplifying permitting could reduce that payment and create a perceived conflict. Speaker 3 responded that oversight follows the county ordinance and that policy decisions are for the board to make.

The board agreed to have staff inspect the property, to obtain a clear, written definition of "land disturbance" as it applies under current law, and to return with findings. The transcript does not cite the statute or provide a definitive legal citation for the May 1 law; board members said they would seek clarification from the appropriate authoring authority.