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Drainage board grants conditional approval for AT&T-related Ponton plat, sets Aug. 4 demolition deadline
Summary
The board approved drainage clearance to let AT&T proceed to the BZA but made the approval contingent on visible demolition progress at the Ponton site; the board warned it could use condemnation powers if the property owner does not meet the Aug. 4 deadline.
The Clinton County Drainage Board on July 21 voted to grant drainage approval that will allow an AT&T‑linked minor plat at the Ponton property to move forward to the Board of Zoning Appeals, but the approval is explicitly conditional on the property owner meeting demolition milestones.
Board members and staff discussed bonding and contractor availability after AT&T representatives indicated they would not handle barn demolition. County staff said AT&T legal would not be associated with demolition or removal of the barn for risk and liability reasons; that prompted the property owner, neighbors and a local contractor to arrange privately for initial demolition work. The owner reported a neighbor, Kyle Johnson, had agreed to begin roof and metal removal around July 27 and to complete the next demolition phase later.
Commissioners made clear that the drainage approval is tied to progress: staff will notify the BZA that the drainage board has approved the drainage portion, but the county will expect demolition progress by the commissioners' next meeting. A commissioner said if the demolition is not substantially complete by the Aug. 4 commissioners meeting the county could begin condemnation procedures and call for bids to complete the work. "If it's not done by then, we will condemn your property," a commissioner told the owner during discussion.
County staff offered to notify the BZA and, if practical, ask the BZA to convene sooner to reduce delay in the overall development timeline. The drainage board’s motion carried 3–0; staff listed follow-up tasks including verifying demolition milestones and reporting back to the commissioners, and notifying the BZA of the drainage approval.
The board also heard about the expected timeline for demolition phases: initial roof/metal removal within days of July 27, followed by a later phase to remove the concrete foundations and restore the site. The parties estimated the full job could cost about $31,000, and staff noted IDNR/IDEM processes and additional permitting could affect final timing for the site’s final grading.
The drainage approval allows the applicant to proceed to the BZA for zoning actions; the board will expect evidence of the demolition work by the Aug. 4 commissioners meeting and may move to condemnation if the owner fails to meet that timeline.
