Resident protests unpaved stretch of road, accuses developers and questions planning process

A White County resident who recently purchased property raised a complaint about a two-mile unpaved segment on Coline Road that he said developers had promised would be paved within a year.

Marvin (self-identified as a Vietnam veteran and new resident) told commissioners the unfinished gravel section leaves dust on homes and asked whether the county could pave or otherwise mitigate the problem. He said lots nearby have high-value homes and argued that paving would be appropriate.

Commissioners responded that the county does not currently have budget authority to pave that road and noted similar cases exist elsewhere. Staff explained developers sometimes place minimally improved roads and are required to bring them up to county standards before adoption; where adoption has not occurred, the county may not take over maintenance. A county official suggested residents consider forming a special tax district to fund paving if the neighborhood prefers a local funding mechanism.

The committee did not vote on any new road appropriation; staff said the issue partly stems from state rules governing certain small-lot divisions and encouraged residents to engage with planning and county staff about options.