Two members of the
public spoke in favor of a Porter County Plan Commission proposal to pass an
ordinance requiring carbon monoxide detectors in new homes at the Board of
Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning.
Plan Commission
Assistant Director Kristi Marasco proposed that the construction of new
homes be subject to an ordinance requiring carbon monoxide detection. All
new buildings currently require smoke detectors, but not detectors for
carbon monoxide. The proposed ordinance would not affect existing homes or
apply to the construction of additions to existing homes.
Kathy Sipple of
Valparaiso spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance. Sipple is a former
Marketing Director for the Lindsey O’Brien Kesling Wishing Tree FoundationÑa
non-profit dedicated to spreading awareness about carbon monoxide poisoning.
She cited the preventable nature of deaths due to accidental carbon monoxide
poisoning, but also the financial cost of nonfatal carbon monoxide injuries,
a figure she says research finds in excess of $1 billion. A representative
from the Valparaiso Fire Department also voiced support for the ordinance.
Commissioner Laura
Blaney said that the ordinance appeared to be a no-brainer. “These are cheap
detection devices protecting Porter County families.”
The ordinance was
approved on first reading with second reading expected at the next Board of
Commissioners meeting, Nov. 14.
Other Planning
Business
* In other
business, Old Town Suites LLC Westgate Ponds also requested approval from
the Commissioners to rezone the northern part of its lot to moderate
intensity commercial. The area in question is currently zoned general
industrial.
* The Islamic
Church Center, 1606N 50E in Pine Township, has petitioned the Plan
Commission to re-zone its property from rural residential to institutional.
Marasco said that the property should be zoned institutional, as is all
church-held property in Porter County. The rezone would correct an error in
a 2007 comprehensive rezone in which the Islamic Church Center was mismarked.
The Commissioners approved both requests on first reading with second
reading expected Nov. 14. No members of the public spoke for or against
either request.
Development and
Storm Water Management
County Engineer
Mike Novotney appeared before the Commissioners to seek their approval to
enter a contract with Wooplert Inc., which will provide improved aerial
photography to be used for the County Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
for $31,239.94. Having improved aerial photographs helps build a historical
library of development and makes the GIS more educational, said Board
President Jeff Good, R-Center. The contract was approved unanimously.
* The Commissioners
also approved a contract for United Consulting to provide on-call services
for the county regarding bridge inspections, inventory, and maintenance on
an as-needed basis. The contract is for one year. Twenty bridges in Porter
County require annual inspections. The Commissioners accepted a Phase IIA
Bridge Inspection report, which will be passed to INDOT for approval.