By HOLLY GASKILL
After over a year of discussions and revisions, the Wells County Commissioners have approved an ordinance to vacate the roadway for a portion of County Road 500 West.
Rock Creek Stone Quarry initially petitioned for the vacation in September 2023, stating it would be more cost-effective to expand their business. While the petition was initially met with pushback from neighbors, the ongoing discussion met several compromises between the parties. For example, the quarry will pay to construct an alternative route, allowing traffic from State Road 124 to C.R. 100 N.
The vacation will also not take effect sooner than Dec. 31, 2025, to allow the road to be used as a detour with another project. The new road will follow all county specifications and has to be in place before vacation.
The commissioners approved the ordinance 2-0 during their regular meeting on Monday; Commissioners Jeff Stringer and Mike Vanover were in favor, and Blake Gerber was unable to vote on the matter as he attended via Zoom.
Stringer later reiterated Jessica Beste’s hiring as the economic development director, originally announced by the Bluffton Board of Public Works and Safety last week. Beste has worked as a mortgage lender for 17 years and previously worked at Stockton Mortgage in Bluffton. Stringer said Beste began in the role on Monday, as opposed to original reports of her first day being Oct. 28.
County Attorney Ted Storer said he will continue to work with Bluffton’s attorney, Tony Crowell, on an interlocal agreement. There is no current agreement regarding financial commitments or oversight of the new department. However, the commissioners and Bluffton Common Council members have verbally agreed to work together with the economic development efforts.
The parties have also mentioned a possible new nonprofit entity with an overseeing board as a long-term vision for economic development efforts.
Also during their meeting, the commissioners approved a $9,800 contract with Christopher B. Burke Engineering to review and revise floodplain mapping.
Executive Director of the Area Plan Commission Mike Lautzenheiser said the county is currently in a review period for mapping with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Natural Resources, and the service will help finalize the maps when it’s more cost-effective to make adjustments. Concerns about specific properties can be directed to the APC office.
holly@news-banner.com
