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Plan Commission continues work on sidewalks, licensing rules and street-tree guidance
Summary
Staff and commissioners discussed draft sidewalk language reflecting updated accessibility rules, clarified contractor-licensing language for transparency, and agreed to consult the DNR or other state resources about an updated street-tree list after a resident flagged invasive species concerns.
Town staff updated the commission on several code-book amendments under consideration, including sidewalk standards, licensing and contractor-license clarity, and a review of the town’s recommended street-tree list.
Staff said the state’s July 2025 accessibility changes are enforceable under state administrative code and that the town’s sidewalk language is being revised for consistency with those requirements. The proposed edits would remove sidewalk dimensions that conflict with state guidance and ensure the code refers to a single fee table for licensing rather than embedding fees in multiple places.
On licensing, staff recommended clarifying that a business license and a contractor’s license are both required and suggested moving fee amounts to Table 15 to avoid duplication and confusion. Commissioners agreed to hold the proposed language for one more meeting cycle so committee members could review the draft language and staff could coordinate any related chapters together before notice and adoption.
A resident had provided research suggesting some species on the town’s street-tree list are now considered invasive. Commissioners asked staff to consult the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and report back with a state or regional authoritative list the town can reference rather than codifying a static list in the ordinance.
Staff will circulate updated draft language for sidewalks and licensing and will consult DNR resources on trees ahead of the next meeting.
