Industrial park plans cross barrier with new fence agreement

GOSHEN — The developer of a new industrial park near Elkhart has worked out a property-line agreement with a neighbor to move the project forward.

The Elkhart County Commissioners approved the rezoning request for the planned West 78 industrial site at C.R. 26 and Ind. 19 during Monday’s meeting. The move came after the developer, Great Lakes Capital, agreed to build a new security fence separating the site from neighboring farm property.

The owner of the property, Judi Gongwer, sought the fence during a hearing on the proposed rezoning last week. She told the commissioners she believed a stronger fence along the perimeter of the properties would deter people from trespassing onto the farm and interfering with dairy cattle there.

The issue was tabled then to give Gongwer and the South Bend-based Great Lakes Capital representatives the week to discuss the request. They did, and GLC agreed to build an 8-foot tall security fence, Commissioner President Mike Yoder said.

The agreement was incorporated in the request to update the zoning of the industrial site from a general planned unit development to a detailed planned unit development.

The commissioners approved the zoning request Monday. With the decision, the developer can begin the process to apply for building permits at the site, said Elkhart County Planning and Development Director Chris Godlewski.