by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

The Hamilton County Commissioners have approved an overall updating of the county’s Comprehensive Plan beginning in January. The last update was undertaken in the 1990s.

Innovative Planning of Carmel will do the work, which includes the countywide thoroughfare plan. The remainder of the update is confined to the areas of county planning jurisdiction outside the territory covered by municipalities.

The study and recommended changes will be underway for most of the year 2020 with public hearings to be scheduled in the county’s various communities. Cost of the project is $139,000 with a “not to exceed” limit of $150,000 should officials want additional information, according to planning director Chuck Kiphart.

In other matters at Monday’s commissioners’ meeting, Steve Dillinger reported work is continuing on studies aimed at resolving traffic congestion at three intersections along 146th Street. He said experts are looking at the possibility of roundabouts or other modifications to allow smoother traffic flow at U.S. 31, Gray Road and Carey Road intersections with 146th.

Commissioners also passed on second reading of an ordinance governing non-authorized signs in highway right-of-ways. The ordinance is an attempt to get consistent rules throughout the county. Cities and towns are being consulted in the effort to get that consistency.

And, commissioners approved a supplemental agreement with USI Engineers for their continuing work on plans for a Pleasant Street bridge over White River. Commissioners have been told the City of Noblesville wants to proceed as soon as possible with widening of Pleasant Street which, with the bridge, will create a bypass of the city business district. Noblesville is applying for federal highway funds. Dillinger estimates construction is about two years away.

Finally, commissioners approved renewal of a contract with the Town of Atlanta for police protection. The county sheriff’s department has provided the service in recent years after Atlanta, with a population of only about 800, found it too expensive to operate its own police department.