Porter County approves primary plats for two minor subdivisions with conditions

Porter County officials approved primary plats for two minor subdivisions filed by Raymond G after engineering staff and commissioners said remaining access, surface and maintenance issues must be resolved before the projects can advance to secondary plat approval.

The approvals, granted at a county hearing, cover MI 2025-28 (G South), a proposed three-lot subdivision on about 14 acres, and MI 2025-29 (G North), a proposed two-lot subdivision on about eight acres adjacent on County Road 250 West in Center Township. Both motions were passed by voice vote, with the board recording a single voice of opposition during the south-plot vote; no roll-call tally was recorded.

Susan, a county planning staffer, told the panel the projects previously achieved primary plat status but allowed that the earlier primary plats expired when secondary plats were not completed 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, summarizing the permit history and noting that variances were granted in November 2020.

Engineering staff led by Dave said both submittals had completed multiple reviews and that an engineering conformance letter issued on April 28, 2026, identified remaining items that must be addressed before secondary plat approval. "We have not followup inspection yet in light of this meeting today," Dave said, adding that the office needs to re-inspect common infrastructure and confirm that driveways, culverts and vision-clearance triangles meet county standards.

Key conditions the panel required include: (1) a binding maintenance agreement among all lot owners to cover upkeep of the single private drive that serves both subdivisions and shared pond maintenance; (2) construction of acceleration/deceleration tapers in the County Road 250 West right-of-way or posting of a bond for required public improvements; (3) submission of contour and centerline drawings so staff can evaluate sight distance and culvert adequacy; and (4) use of county-standard pavement rather than stone or undocumented recycled asphalt on the private drive. The chair read additional absent-member comments into the record requesting an opportunity for the Liberty Fire Chief to review private-drive access plans.

Applicant representative Ari Goth identified himself and confirmed the applicant will work with staff to meet the conditions. "We're here to receive approval for primary plat for a minor subdivision," Goth said when introduced to the panel.

Commissioners also discussed a pond on the site and a previously reported suspected drain tile. A neighbor had earlier complained of overflow affecting a neighboring property; staff noted a conservation and drainage easement that covers the pond and said parcels that touch the pond are responsible for its maintenance. The panel asked that documentation of pond operation and maintenance be included with the submittal.

Procedurally, staff clarified that the 30-day public comment period for the approvals remains in effect for additional comment, and that the earliest the applicant may obtain secondary plat depends on satisfying the engineering conditions or posting a bond for public improvements. The chair summed up the direction and asked that the motions reference the list of conditions; both motions were made and seconded and subsequently carried.

The panel approved MI 2025-28 and MI 2025-29 subject to the stated conditions and engineering inspections; secondary plat issuance will follow confirmation that required improvements and documents are complete.