County Park and Rec Board gauging support for emergency access road

On Monday evening, the Dubois County Park and Recreation Department Board met with a group of landowners to discuss the incorporation of a private lane into the county’s road system.

The goal is to create an emergency entrance to the Dubois County Park/4-H Fairgrounds and the meeting was scheduled to gauge the landowners’ interest in the road improvement. The private lane is located off of  County Road 50 S and would be use it to create an emergency access road approximately ¾ of a mile long  into the park and 4-H Fairgrounds. The county purchased 50 acres southwest of the park last summer to increase the size of the park and to create this alternative entrance.

Park and Recreation Board President Jason Schmitt informed the landowners this had been a concern for the county for awhile and incidents like an explosion that occurred at another county fair in the 90’s increased the board’s interest in creating the emergency entrance.

Schmitt informed the 19 attendees that the county has stated they do not have the money to purchase the 60 feet of easements along the lane that are required to develop the road. Schmitt told those gathered that before the county moves forward with any planning for the road, he needed to know if there was any interest in granting the potential 60 feet of easement to the county for free.

The main concern voiced those attending the meeting was centered on how much land the county would need to build the road.

Charlie Crowley’s property is at the end of the private lane and he stated he was against any improvements made to the road if the county had to take part of his land to build it. Crowley told the board he was concerned the county would have to build the road on his property due to a deep ditch running parallel to the lane on the county’s property. If the county used the 45 to 60 feet of easement into his property the improved road would take out his driveway entrance and decrease the amount of land he uses for parking his vehicles.

After Schmitt stated the park might use the road for visitors to access the park for large events and shows, Crowley’s wife stated she was concerned about the increased traffic through the area, belaying the safety and privacy the residents sought by living there.

Robert Duncan and his wife, Alice, agreed that something needed to be done with the road to alleviate the maintenance issues the residents have incurred since it was built. Robert was concerned that it would not be paved.

Property owner John Lechner told the board he would like to see them build it towards the county-owned land across from the homes along the lane.

Schmitt told the landowners the county did not have a firm plan on how the road would be built and if it would take up a large portion of their front yards.

Many voiced they would support it if they had assurances it would not take up too much of their own property. The group agreed they would have to see the plans for the road before they would agree to the easement the county is requesting.

Schmitt told the group he would take the residents’ concerns to the County Commissioners and the next step would be in their hands. Schmitt stated he would send them notice if another meeting was scheduled to discuss the property and road or if the commissioners decided to pursue another route for the emergency entrance.