The Starke County Commissioners reviewed the third reading of the private drive connections ordinance at their most recent meeting.
The ordinance has been gone over very carefully by Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler, Surveyor Bill Crase and the commissioners for several months with the adoption of the ordinance on January 4.
The ordinance states that a permit is needed if anyone looks to construct a private driveway, entrance, drive approach, mailbox approach, culvert, sidewalk, pathways, trails, or public service utility infrastructure within the right-of-way of the Starke County Highway System.
The permit request will be reviewed by the Starke County Highway Superintendent, County Surveyor, and Starke County Planning Commission.
The commissioners have stated in previous meetings that this will help protect the county’s roadways and the public’s safety. As stated in the ordinance it will “…ensure proper drainage of stormwater and meltwater, and to help protect the public roads from damage and reduce public maintenance costs.”
The permit fees will follow the schedule of fees for the Starke County Highway Department as approved by the Starke County Commissioners.
The ordinance is available to view below.
