Porter County panel approves two related primary plats for Raymond G with conditions

The Porter County planning panel approved primary-plat applications for two minor subdivisions filed by Raymond G on County Road 250 West, subject to a set of infrastructure and documentation conditions that must be satisfied before the county will issue secondary plats.

Staff member Susan told the panel the two parcels previously received primary-plat action; variances granted in November 2020 remain on the record, but the primary-plat approval had lapsed because the secondary plat was not recorded within the two-year window. "They did previously achieve primary plat. However, they did not achieve secondary plat within the two-year time frame, and it did expire," Susan said, explaining why the applicant reapplied in 2025.

The most significant conditions the panel attached require the applicant to provide driveway and pond operation-and-maintenance agreements signed by lot owners, to supply contour drawings and a centerline sight-distance detail for County Road 250 West, and to complete or bond acceleration/deceleration lane work to county standards where the private drive intersects the county road. "I suggest that the applicant commit to a driveway agreement for maintenance and upkeep of the access of all the lots," the chair read into the record. County engineering staff said they would inspect the common infrastructure before granting secondary conformance.

County engineer Dave summarized his review letter dated April 28, 2026, noting primary conformance had been documented but follow-up inspections to verify common improvements were still required. He flagged surfacing details for the private drive and told the applicant that stone or some recycled-asphalt approaches are not acceptable as the finished private-drive surface where county standards apply. "Stone mill asphalt is not acceptable for that surface," he said during the discussion.

Applicants also reported soils work has been completed and that test results indicate the lots can support septic systems. Panel members raised traffic-safety concerns and recommended acceleration/deceleration tapers at the driveway throat; the board also asked that Liberty Fire Chief review the private-drive access plan for emergency access considerations.

For the G South parcel (MI 2025-28) the panel approved the primary plat "subject to the just stated list of requirements," the chair said; the motion carried after a brief vote. The companion G North parcel (MI 2025-29) received similar treatment and was approved on the same conditions. The panel noted that applicants may post bonds for required public improvements if they prefer to complete secondary plat processes before finishing field work.

Staff reiterated timing and next steps: the statutory 30-day public-comment waiting period applies before final action on related items, and the county must perform inspections and verify completed improvements before granting secondary-plat conformance. Once conditions are satisfied and inspections completed, the applicant may submit for secondary plat approval or post bonds to allow concurrent processing. The panel did not adopt any additional waivers beyond the previously granted variances.

The panel concluded its business on the two subdivision applications after the approvals; applicants were instructed to coordinate with county engineering and highway staff to schedule inspections and clarify technical details before returning for secondary-plat sign-off.