Drainage Board approves two drain reconstructions, grants variances and preliminarily backs beaver-management pilot

The Hamilton County Drainage Board on June 22 approved two reconstruction hearings, acted on variances and non-enforcement requests, and gave preliminary support for a pilot beaver-management project.

The board found benefits exceeded costs and adopted the Schedule of Assessments for the Revis-Carson Drain reconstruction, a petition filed by Estridge Homes for work tied to a subdivision in Jackson Township. After reviewing evidence and objections the board voted unanimously to declare the reconstruction established and to adopt the proposed assessment schedule.

Separately, the board approved a petition from Nicholas Velarde to reconstruct a portion of the William Wilson Arm of the Wilson-Nagle Drain in Arcadia Commercial Park, Lot 4, with the developer required to submit surety (the board's policy requires surety at 120% of the engineer's estimate before reconstruction starts).

Dillinger moved and Altman seconded motions approving both hearings; both motions carried unanimously.

The board also approved a Professional Services Agreement for a J.H. Leap Drain erosion and sediment study and granted a variance related to a residential construction request at 13637 East State Road 38 (a stormwater detention standard variance) after staff conditions were noted. The petitioner for the Residen/Chome variance asserted that the detention rules were excessive for a single-family home; the board approved the variance with the Surveyor's recommended condition that any future subdivision must account for the current land-disturbance allowance.

On non-enforcement requests, several fence and landscaping exceptions were recommended for approval by the Surveyor's Office; one non-enforcement for the Crooked Creek Drain filed by Curt & Megan Hochbein was not recommended and was tabled after discussion. Altman said approval should be contingent on a recorded indemnity agreement and proof of homeowners insurance; the homeowners were asked to return with those documents.

In a presentation, Jada Aidun proposed modern beaver flow devices (culvert fences and pond levelers) for Dillon Park's Vestal Ditch to protect infrastructure while maintaining water levels. Board members and the Surveyor discussed permissions needed from Noblesville Parks and whether a non-enforcement or easement would be required. Altman moved for preliminary approval subject to consent from Noblesville and appropriate easements; the motion carried unanimously.

The board also set hearings for July 27, 2026, to consider reconstruction of the Williams Creek, Jackson's Grant Village Section 3 Arm and a vacation request for the Hinshaw & Keys Drain in Aberdeen Section 3. The Surveyor announced construction updates on several ongoing projects and said the Surveyor's Office would close for a move on July 6, 2026; the board approved the closure and approved an executive-session memorandum before recessing and reconvening later that afternoon.