La Porte council files petition for "super voluntary" annexation of 20 parcels for light-industrial zoning

The La Porte Common Council on March 16 filed a petition under Indiana Code §36‑4‑3‑5.1 to begin a "super voluntary" annexation of 20 parcels in Pleasant Township and to rezone the parcels to M‑1 (light industrial).

Council president Franke read the petition, which states the parcels are owned by the petitioners and that the filing satisfies contiguity requirements under Indiana Code §36‑4‑3‑1.5. City staff (Otis) explained that filing the petition starts a formal public process that includes publication of notice in the Herald Dispatch, Plan Commission review of the requested zoning changes, preparation of a required fiscal plan, a public hearing on the annexation ordinance at the April 13 meeting, and a final council vote anticipated at the May 18 meeting.

The petition identifies 20 parcels by tax-parcel IDs (not read aloud in the meeting transcript) and proposes rezoning from La Porte County classifications to the city's M‑1 (light industrial) designation. The filing does not enact annexation or zoning changes; it begins the statutory notification and review process under state law.

No public testimony on the annexation occurred at the filing; Otis emphasized the procedural steps and next dates. The transcript does not list the petitioners by name in the hearing text, nor does it reproduce the fiscal plan.