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Board approves outlets for State Road 2 interchange; resident urges pause on diverging-diamond work
Summary
The board approved a regulated-drain application to relocate three outlets and add detention basins tied to a proposed interchange on State Road 2; during public comment residents urged pausing the diverging-diamond project and raised concerns about outdated watershed assessments.
The St. Joseph County Drainage Board voted to approve a regulated-drain application to relocate three outlets and construct detention basins tied to a planned interchange at State Road 2, Larison and Strawberry, and heard multiple public comments urging caution about the larger interchange project.
An engineer who identified himself as Chris of FNS Engineers told the board the interchange design will include three outfalls to the Nespejani Ditch, detention basins in the northeast and southwest quadrants and additional two-stage ditching outside the ramps. The applicant said the design follows INDOT guidance for an INDOT-led project, includes detention to reduce peak runoff rates and will extend a box culvert on the south side to avoid backwater conditions.
Why it matters: The outlet relocations and detention basins are part of grading and stormwater management for a major roadway interchange. The board’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with work that will change how runoff from the interchange is routed into county drains.
Public comment: Resident Dan Caruso (who gave his address) urged the board to pause further permits tied to the diverging-diamond interchange, saying the anticipated GM-related traffic that was a major rationale for the interchange is no longer coming. “GM’s not coming anymore,” Caruso said, urging the board to reassess whether the full interchange buildout is still necessary. Farmer Ken Carbiner urged the board to revisit assessment levels and long-term maintenance funding for county drainage systems, noting the Phillips watershed covers about 4,526 acres and serves roughly 2,231 homes and saying current assessments ($2 an acre, $5 per house) are inadequate.
Board response and technical points: Board members asked for — and the applicant agreed to provide — design prints and maps for county files. Staff referenced use of larger flow values previously provided by the Department of Natural Resources and said the design was conservative to avoid backwater conditions. A board member reminded the public that changes to assessments require a study and a public hearing and that past projects were not approved after neighboring property owners opposed a higher assessment.
Action taken: A motion to approve the regulated-drain application for the drain pipe outlet into the regulated drain was made, seconded and approved by the board; the applicant was asked to email maps for the county record.
Quotes (attributed): Chris (S9) described the outlets and detention basins: “We have detention basins at the northeast quadrant between the ramp and Stairway 2 and also the southwest quadrant… and then we also added additional detention, basically acting as a two-stage ditch on the outsides of the ramps.” Dan Caruso (S10) said, “GM’s not coming anymore… Put a pause on this diverging diamond.” Ken Carbiner (S2) said assessments “are $2 an acre and $5 a house” and asked the board what it would take to revisit the assessment process.
Ending: The board approved the permit and requested final maps be emailed for the county record; no decision on pausing interchange work was made at the meeting and any change to the diverging-diamond project would follow separate planning and funding processes.
