Several Suspicions of Secret Solar Schemes Stop Situation-Residents Relieved to Remain Rural

COLUMBIA CITY-With every seat taken, Wednesday night's County Plan Commission meeting began. John Woodmansee arrived at 7:59, and Thor Hodges was absent.

Photo byMelany Love

Executive Director Nathan Bilger gave a refresher on Columbia City's jurisdictional boundaries since 1955, shared a chart comparing zoning categories, and explained some of the considerations that have occurred so far on the proposal, including diminishing the desired acreage (from 6,000 to 1,430) and scrapping Rural Residential and Commercial designations, leaving only Agricultural and seventy acres of Industrial.

Photo of a screen-displayed image at the meeting, depicting ETJPhoto byMelany Love

An extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) representative lamented that the area should have increased at the same rate as the city's growth all along, instead of remaining unchanged for 52 years. He, Bilger, and Mayor Ryan Daniel all repeated this is not an annexation, with Daniel explaining that it merely determines which plan commission has jurisdiction in the area.

Plan Commission Vice President Brent Emerick inquired whether those in the proposed area would be able to vote for mayor or common council, and mentioned taxation without representation when told they could not.

Daniel Weigold (City Plan Commission and At- Large Common Councilman) said he highly supports the ETJ proposal.

Then citizens spoke. Diana Dupont asked the commission to honor Columbia City's small town nature and preserve what is unique about it, saying, "Bigger isn't always better, but quality always is." Several people echoed fears that solar companies could use this as a back door into the city, especially after the recent concerns in county matters. Mike Rolland claimed that while the mayor and others denied any knowledge of plans involving solar, Huffman Farms has reportedly been approached multiple times recently with offers by solar companies. He said, "It's not that we don't trust you...but actually, we don't."

Mayor Daniel offered to address concerns, saying the city's only solar park is not near residences and aids our own grid. He explained that growth follows schools, so with the new building comes more desire for housing nearby. This proposal may help, if people are willing to sell their land. He reiterated that this is not an annexation and said Indiana is a strong property rights state.

Brad Perry voiced concerns about property freedoms being lost, pieces at a time. Denise Puckett, who lives by the school, cited "horrendous traffic." A woman from within city limits complained about the congestion on Line Street and said the current traffic problems need fixed before adding more.

Emerick claimed no landowners in the 6,000 acre plan had been notified; Joe Wolf said traffic would be safer if speed limit signs were followed. Jack Green said, "We haven't done anything in fifty years. Do we want to do something or stay stagnant?" Rob Schuman said he agreed with Denise about the traffic issues.

Emerick motioned for an unfavorable designation, Dave Drew seconded, and all but Kim Kurtz-Seslar agreed.

Whitley County Plan Commission meetings are held on third Wednesdays at 7pm; the next meeting is Oct. 18.

(This story is reprinted from an earlier version published on the NewsBreak App)