Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
County commissioners approve bids, subdivisions, Bristol overlay and TIF paving allocations
Loading...
Summary
At the April 20 Elkhart County meeting the board unanimously approved a courthouse window contract ($1,063,000), released demolition bids for two unsafe structures, permitted a courthouse lawn event, approved the Emerald Chase subdivision and two TIF allocations, and adopted a Bristol town overlay (2-1).
The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners handled several routine and administrative matters on April 20, approving bids, a subdivision, an overlay, and two TIF allocations.
Buildings & Grounds recommended and the board approved a $1,063,000 low bid from Schrock Commercial for replacement of windows at the historic Goshen Courthouse. County staff then presented two unsafe-structure cases (27575 County Road 24 and 30495-3 County Road 24); the board authorized releasing demolition bids with a May 26 opening and noted the county can place liens on properties to recover costs.
Jeff Taylor, county administrator, requested permission for Downtown Goshen Inc. to use the Goshen Courthouse lawn July 3 for a First Fridays event, subject to a certificate of insurance; commissioners approved the request and county counsel later reminded the board to ensure the event complies with ordinance cutoff times.
Planning staff presented Emerald Chase Land Development's Luxe Granger phase 1 (35 lots of a planned 62-lot subdivision) and the board approved right-of-way acceptance and the phase's secondary approval after a brief public hearing. The board also considered an amendment to add a Bristol town overlay into the county's development ordinance to protect downtown character and to set stricter sign and lighting standards; planning staff and a consultant said existing nonconforming signs would remain grandfathered, and the board adopted the overlay 2-1.
Finally, the board authorized two TIF fund allocations: $450,000 from a County Road 16/17 TIF for paving packages affecting that TIF area and $650,000 from the Northwest Gateway TIF for paving in that area. Both allocations were approved unanimously.
The board adjourned after county attorney Steve Olson clarified timing language applicable to the First Fridays permit. Routine follow-up tasks include executing the Schrock Commercial contract, advertising the demolition bids, and planning staff recording right-of-way dedications and ordinance updates.
