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Residents seek easement vacation, help with landlocked properties and tree hazard; county outlines petition and legal options
Summary
Two residents asked commissioners to vacate an easement and to confirm county ownership of park/triangle property; staff described the petition and public-hearing process for vacating easements and recommended legal counsel for private disputes. Separately, the county will inspect and obtain quotes to remove a hazardous tree over a county access.
Residents came to the Starke County commissioners to ask for help vacating an old easement, confirming whether a triangular parcel and shore access are county-owned, and to request removal of a large limb hanging over a county access.
A resident who asked the board to vacate a 1981 subdivision easement was told vacating requires a formal petition, a public hearing and notification to affected owners. "To vacate it, you have to have a public hearing ... submit the petition ... we'll set it for a public hearing," a staff member advised, describing the county process and recommending the person submit a formal petition so staff can research and place it on a future agenda.
Separately, a homeowner who said the county-recognized right-of-way stopped at a parcel now being called "Boa/Bow Shores Park" asked for a written certification that their property has road access. Staff said records and tax-roll entries were inconsistent and that the homeowner could pursue either a county petition process or private civil remedies if it is not county property.
On a related public-safety item, a resident pointed out a decaying limb over a county access at 5408 S County Road 210 and asked the county to remove it. Road staff said they would inspect from county vehicles (including the new bucket truck) and obtain contractor quotes if removal is beyond the department's scope.
Commissioners did not take immediate final action on the easement or title questions but asked staff to research records, help the resident with petition steps, and follow up with quotes for the hazardous tree removal.
