Plat committee approves Ferris Minor Subdivision after adding gas-easement reference and cemetery buffer note

The Hancock County Plat Committee voted unanimously June 18 to approve the Ferris Minor Subdivision, a three‑lot minor subdivision at the intersection of Fortville Pike and 375 North in Center Township.

Staff presented the plat and told the committee each lot is about 7½ acres and that the draft shows a 70‑foot right‑of‑way along Fortville Pike and a right‑of‑way along 375 North. "We do have a 60‑ft easement now reflected on the south side of the parcel of lot one. However, I do want to see an instrument number on there as well so that anybody curious about that gas easement has a recorded easement to refer to," Staff member Kayla said, asking that the recorded document be noted on the plat before recording.

Mike Gibson of MJ Gibson Land Surveying said his team located the gas line and obtained a recorded instrument number after the technical committee review. "We immediately went out, located the gas line and also got the easement document just yesterday," Gibson said, and he committed to adding the instrument number to the plat prior to recording.

The committee heard several technical comments had been addressed: survey corrections to the legal description, health‑department requests for invert elevations on the drain tile for lots two and three, and drainage board review for a tile the gas contractor reportedly cut while installing the supply line. Staff said the tile will need to be located and shown to the county surveyor and the drainage board for approval but that the tile issue does not prevent approval of the minor plat.

Staff also reminded the committee that the state Department of Natural Resources requires a development plan for work within 100 feet of a cemetery; she recommended showing a 100‑foot buffer from the cemetery fence on the plat with a note directing any development in that area to contact DNR and establish a development plan. Kim Hall, vice president of the cemetery board, was noted as present for questions about Mount Reeves cemetery.

A committee member moved to approve the Ferris Minor Subdivision as presented; another member seconded. The committee voted in favor and the motion carried unanimously. Staff said final recording requirements and any follow‑up (instrument numbers, owner sign‑offs, required bonds) must be completed before the plat is recorded.

What’s next: staff will ensure the gas‑easement instrument number, required department sign‑offs, and any drainage board requirements are shown on the final plat prior to recording.