Residents ask county to press rail carrier over horns in Dunlap and urge ordinances to block a Bristol data center

At the Elkhart County commissioners meeting on June 1, two members of the public spoke during the privilege of the floor, pressing the board on separate local concerns.

James Scott of Elkhart asked when trains will stop sounding horns near the Dunlap overpass, saying both crossings are permanently closed and inaccessible. "When are we going to get the railroad to stop sounding their horns?" Scott asked. County staff responded that the county does not control the railroad, noted that horn signs remain in place and said Norfolk Southern plans to remove those signs but did not provide a timetable. Staff advised continued constituent pressure on the railroad.

Cindy Hycheck of Goshen urged the board to stop a proposed Bristol data center, saying local opposition is strong and asking the county to act before the project comes before the board. Hycheck cited Marshall County's recent two-year moratorium on large-scale solar, battery storage and carbon capture and noted that Marshall County considered a first reading of an ordinance capping solar projects at five acres. "This board has the opportunity to stop this and other projects that threaten the well-being of the people of Elkhart County," she said, and asked commissioners to adopt ordinances that would prevent such projects.

What happens next: Staff noted it will continue outreach to the railroad; commissioners did not commit to specific ordinance action on data centers at the meeting.