By HOLLY GASKILL
Wells County Commissioners are near approval of an ordinance that will vacate a portion of County Road 500 West for the expansion of Rock Creek Stone Quarry, 781 N 500 W in Bluffton.
The commissioners reviewed a second draft of the ordinance Monday, which had revisions made by County Engineer Nate Whitacre, Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar and Surveyor Jared Hahn. In exchange for the vacation of approximately 1,650 ft., from CR 100 N to just south of the Whitelock Ditch, the quarry will construct an alternate route.
However, at the advice of County Attorney Ted Storer, the commissioners delayed approval on the matter until Monday’s edits were written in.
Among several edits about the construction of the new road, Chase Fiechter, representing the quarry, asked about reducing the 75 ft. setback to 25 ft. The commissioners were receptive but preferred to revise the county’s zoning ordinance for consistency with any other similar projects in the future. Area Plan Commission Executive Director Mike Lautzenheiser said the APC could review the zoning ordinance.
The quarry first petitioned the county for the road closure in September 2023.
holly@news-banner.com
