Dearborn Co. Plan Commission Tables Zone Change Recommendation; LMU Director Takes On Conflict Allegations

Capacity crowd sits through four-hour meeting to voice their disapproval of the proposed subdivision in Guilford.

Milton Bridges airs his grievances concerning a proposed subdivision before the Dearborn County Plan Commission on Monday, April 23. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - While some questions were answered Monday evening, the Dearborn County Plan Commission wants more information about a proposed 100-home subdivision in Guilford.

During a marathon, four-hour public meeting before a standing-room only crowd, the plan commission heard from more than a dozen residents who spoke out in opposition to Utah-based Blind Hunting Club LLC’s proposed development on a 186-acre property between Bonnell Road and York Ridge Road.

“This isn’t a ‘not in my back yard’ issue,” said Amanda Vinup-Noell, a resident of the central Dearborn County hamlet. “It’s a ‘this is not safe’ issue.”

Citizens expressed worries how the proposed development may impact the safety of the steep-hilled and narrow roads in the area, their property values, taxes, and emergency services. Vinup-Noell also wondered if the subdivision will contain affordable housing.

“I don’t think anybody wants this in our neighborhood. We hope you understand our concerns and maybe will side with us and not let this happen,” Dave Bedescue told the commission members.

Another resident, Milton Bridges, said he was worried about “new people.” He raised his concerns that existing homes could be ordered to hook-up to potential new sewers in the area.

Regarding the traffic worries the subdivision could bring, Dearborn County Planning & Zoning director Mark McCormack said it could double the number of vehicles on York Ridge Road. He said a traffic study will be needed.

The plan commission voted to table giving either a favorable or unfavorable recommendation to the zone map amendment proposal. The commission wants Blind Hunting Club LLC to submit more detail, including a traffic study and plan for sewer and water.

Member Russell Beiersdorfer said he used to go raccoon hunting on that farm.

“Anytime I see a subdivision that will work, I’ll be for it. I don’t know about this one yet,” he said.

“There are just too many major questions unanswered,” said fellow plan commission member Eric Lang.

Jake Hoog said 100 new homes does not fit in with the rural area.

Regardless of which recommendation the plan commission stamps the zone change request with, the final decision will be made by Dearborn County Commissioners. County Commissioner Jim Thatcher is a member of the plan commission.

“We should move to table this request tonight, get questions answered, and then come back and make an informed decision,” he said.

McCormack said the plan commission’s next meeting is scheduled for May 21, but much of the information requested may not be available to the plan commission by then. The June 25 meeting date was mentioned as a possibility of the earliest date possible for the next hearing for the subdivision.

Members of the Dearborn County Plan Commission listen to a resident's concerns. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3.

Details of the development

The initial subdivision application turned into Dearborn County Planning & Zoning in February contained sparse information about the proposed subdivision. Kendall Bales with Greendale-based Hrezo Engineering, the firm hired by Blind Hunting Club LLC, shared a bit more Monday.

He told the plan commission that the development would be similar to that of Woodridge Estates, a newer subdivision being constructed on State Line Road. The price point, he said, would likely be over $200,000 per home.

Bales indicated that the property owner plans to submit a concept development plan for the property regardless of whether the rezone is granted. The number of lots could be reduced, he said.

Concerning a traffic study, Bales said the investors “will do that work.”

Other than the engineer, nobody spoke favorably of the subdivision plan during the night-long meeting. Tory Brock, one of the people behind the proposed subdivision, did speak with Eagle Country 99.3 following the meeting.

“I thought they were valid concerns, a lot of them. I think there is a lot more problems than just the project. There are a lot of road problems and a lot of sewer problems. I feel their pain,” Brock said.

The developers may be willing to work with the Dearborn County Regional Sewer District to bring public sewer service to the Guilford area – at least to their subdivision. Bales said a sewer treatment plant strictly serving the subdivision may be another option.

A number of failing septic systems in the area have raised environmental concerns for Tanners Creek. Under pressure from the state to address sewage flowing into the creek, the DCRSD has identified providing sewer service to the Guilford area as a top priority.

Does LMU director have a conflict?

On social media, resident Amanda Vinup-Noell, who spoke at the meeting Monday, has alleged that Lawrenceburg Municipal Utilities director Olin Clawson has a conflict of interest regarding the project.

Clawson is an associate of Brock and other members of Blind Hunting Club LLC. Asked about it by Eagle Country 99.3 after the meeting, Clawson insisted he has no official capacity with the group.

“It’s a baseless allegation,” he said. “I’ve been completely transparent with my board about what we’re working on. I’ve invited people from this group, namely Amanda Vinup-Noell, I’ve invited her on multiple occasions to come to my office, to show her exactly what (LMU) is working on on Wilson Creek. It has no mention of Guilford.”

Clawson said he is on the record with the county that LMU cannot help with the Guilford issue because the expense cannot be justified.

On failing septic systems and extending DCRSD sewer service to Guilford, Clawson indicated a new subdivision could help make it possible.

“When you have sewer systems and utilities and you’re trying to figure out a way to take services to people, there is a point where the design is not feasible unless you have numbers. I think that’s why the county has avoided sewering the area, because the cost to sewer 35 homes is probably the same cost of sewering 135 homes. Which would you rather have paying it back? It’s a simple economics issue.”

Clawson said the county should stop turning a blind eye to an issue making about 400 homes with failing septic systems across the county unsellable, citing data from the Dearborn County Health Department.

“That means there are 400 families who will never be able to appreciate the investment they have in their home. I’m sorry, I think it is horribly selfish to ignore that.”

Packed Room as Dearborn Co Plan Commission Take Up Proposed Subdivision @WLWT @eagle993 pic.twitter.com/anUVNzlqIf

— Greg Rahe (@Hoosiernewshoun) April 23, 2018

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