Staff notifies IDEM after unpermitted excavation at Meadowbrook Road

Town planning staff told the board that excavation work done at 298 Meadowbrook Road lacked a required excavation permit, included removal of trees, and encroached on a county ditch. Staff said they had notified the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), which may assess fines.

"I also got a notification from IDEM that they're gonna get involved with that and, that there may be fines or issues that they have," the planning staff said.

Staff described seeing drainage-trench excavation in the easement and said the homeowner had commercial equipment and material on a residential lot without the proper permits. The board discussed that the owner had not filed a complete application and that staff had issued a fine; staff recommended the owner submit the full excavation permit application so the town can evaluate required remediation and remediation timelines.

Why it matters: unpermitted excavation in easements and near ditches can create environmental and drainage risks and may violate state environmental rules. IDEM involvement may lead to fines or remediation orders beyond town enforcement.

Next steps: staff will require the property owner to submit a complete excavation permit application and will continue coordination with IDEM and other county authorities as necessary. The board directed staff to proceed through the town's enforcement process and to return with updates if additional action is required.