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Council approves sewer hookup for Long Beach property after annexation debate
Summary
The Michigan City Common Council voted 6–1 April 7 to allow Yellow Bear Farms LLC (2522 Shorewood Drive, Long Beach) to connect to the city sanitary system. Council debate centered on whether the city should annex nearby properties rather than grant individual hookups; the resolution requires a 15‑year annexation‑waiver recorded with the county.
The Michigan City Common Council voted 6–1 on April 7 to approve a resolution allowing Yellow Bear Farms LLC (2522 Shorewood Drive, Long Beach) to connect to the Michigan City sanitary system.
Councilman Prince Valinski, sponsor of the resolution, said the property owner had completed required permits and waivers and that the Sanitary District had issued lateral permit No. 26‑04‑L and a capacity certification confirming there is room in the system for the connection. Valinski explained that property owners outside municipal limits must execute a waiver of the right to remonstrate against annexation, valid for 15 years and recorded with the LaPorte County Recorder.
The vote followed wide council discussion about annexation policy. "I'm against giving anything from the city to anyone unless they're they agree to be a part of the city," Councilman Beatatri said, urging a more systematic approach to bringing near‑by parcels into the city instead of approving individual hookups. Councilwoman Moldenour said she would again vote against the measure “in principle” because she prefers annexation so the city can collect property taxes rather than provide services that primarily benefit out‑of‑city properties.
Attorney Harris clarified code references during the debate and said the differing section citations in the draft were typographical/technical and would be corrected; he also said ongoing discussions are under way with the Sanitary District about a broader service‑area study and possible ordinance changes so future hookups could be handled more holistically.
Peter, a project representative with Benchmark Design Studio, answered council questions about septic‑system constraints at Lake Clare, saying a septic option was not feasible for the site given groundwater and water‑table conditions.
On the roll call, six council members voted in favor and one voted against; the clerk announced the resolution had passed.
Next steps: the waiver required by municipal code will be recorded and filed as described in the resolution. The council and sanitary district representatives indicated they are pursuing longer‑term policy work on service areas and annexation timing.
