St. Joseph County hosts open house to discuss development plans, concerned citizens attend

NEW CARLISE, Ind. - County commissioners hosted an open house to discuss land development near the GM electric vehicle battery plant, worrying locals. 

The area currently in use is 237 parcels of land or 5,426.01 acres of land total.

However, they're expanding the western area by 865.9 acres and expanding the eastern area by 631.79 acres.

In total, they want to expand out so that the economic development area covers 6923.7 acres.

According to commissioners, this should not raise taxes.

However, community members are scared. 

How will the GM plant affect the school systems? 

How will it affect the roads?

Carl Baxmeyer, president of the county commissioners, says that he understands their concern, but their voice will remain at the forefront of this project. 

"We've assured the town and the township that they, as we move forward with other developments, will have a seat at the table to help craft what that development agreement looks like," said Baxmeyer. 

New Carlise resident, Dan Caruso, says the commissioners have yet to provide an updated comprehensive land use plan, deeming this lack of information "wrong." 

"They seem to be just lying there, nobody's updating them," said Caruso, referring to the old plans. "Yet, we're moving ahead with this land grab, saying we need to expand the development area. It's just wrong. It's wrong the way they're doing it."

Another concern community members have is the state of their homes, in what Caruso's friend calls "industrial creep." 

"They're slowly spreading the industrial zone and is starting to include some homes and it's just not right."