The Town of Culver has a new town manager.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Adopts Golf Cart Ordinance Amendment
The Culver Town Council members were presented with the third reading of a golf cart ordinance amendment Tuesday night.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Looks at Radio Purchase for Fire Department
The Culver Town Council members reviewed a request from Culver-Union Township Fire Department Chief Terry Wakefield concerning the purchase of 16 new radios for the firefighters.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Members Hold Work Session to Discuss Culver Police Department Hiring
The Culver Town Council members met in a work session Monday, July 31 to discuss the hiring process with the Culver Police Department.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Considers Additional Reading of Golf Cart Ordinance
The Culver Town Council considered an additional reading in order to amend the golf cart ordinance.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Opens Public Hearing on Proposed Rezoning Request
The Culver Town Council members opened a public hearing last week concerning a rezoning request at 830 N. Lakeshore Drive.
Continue readingCulver Town Council to Meet in Work Session Today
The Culver Town Council members will meet in a work session today to discuss what needs Police Chief Wayne Bean is seeking to hire officers to the police department.
Continue readingTown of Culver Could Have New Town Manager Soon
The Culver Town Council members approved a motion this week to extend an offer of employment to a candidate for the town manager position.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Discusses Moratorium on Large Industrial Solar Systems, Utility Scale Battery Energy Storage Systems
The Culver Town Council members discussed the possible moratorium on large industrial solar systems and utility scale battery energy storage systems Tuesday night.
Continue readingCulver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council members will meet tonight where they will hear from Janette Surrisi concerning the possible regulation on industrial solar energy systems and utility scale battery energy storage systems under the town’s zoning ordinance.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Sets Work Session About Sewer Rates
Culver Redevelopment Commission Seat Open
Culver Town Council Considers Match for Make My Move Initiative
The Culver Town Council members discussed a match toward Develop Culver’s work with the South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership and a Make My Move initiative.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Asked to Impose Moratorium to Review Solar Ordinance
The Culver Town Council members were asked Tuesday night to impose a moratorium on large-scale solar farms on agricultural land and industrial energy battery storage projects in the two-mile zone so time could be taken to review the town’s current ordinance concerning these separate items.
Janette Surrisi explained that she read the current ordinance and suggested it needed some updates to include tighter definitions of solar energy systems as it is written in the ordinance, plus the required processes for project permits, setbacks, project plans, decommissioning, and various restrictions when it comes to site plans and equipment. The zoning for industrial battery storage projects should be included in the ordinance and other restrictions.
She asked the council to certify a proposal of a moratorium to the Culver Plan Commission.
Debbie VanDeMark and Paul Levett, both of Culver, spoke of their concerns of the large-scale solar farms and industrial battery storage projects in the county and in the two-mile zone in Culver. VanDeMark noted loss of agricultural land, environmental impact, protecting adjacent landowners, property value guarantees, an emergency fire safety plan, liability insurance, decommissioning, material data safety sheets, protecting farmers who have signed leases, and an energy storage ordinance. Levett made similar remarks.
The council members commented that it might be best to review the ordinance and to keep in mind Senate Bill 33 that addresses a solar and wind power equipment disposal study that is expected to be complete in 2025.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Greg Hildebrand commented that many companies are looking for a mix of renewable energy when scouting sites. He added that coal-fired and natural gas plants are being shut down with more renewable energy being sought.
Chris Kline said a lot of misinformation is out there, but several government entities are overseeing the current processes and asked that more study be done on both sides.
Ginny Bess Munroe pointed out that the Town of Culver does not control the entire two-mile zoning of Culver and that some of it is controlled by Marshall County. She encouraged the council to refer to the map to be sure they are discussing the correct areas when further discussions are warranted.
In the end, the council voted 4-1 to impose a two-year moratorium on large-scale solar farms and industrial energy battery storage projects. Council members Bill Cleavenger, Bill Githens, Bill Hamm, and Sally Ricciardi voted in favor, while Rich West opposed the motion. West said he wanted more time to look into a possible moratorium.
Culver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council will meet tonight where they will review an amendment to the golf cart ordinance.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Updated on Town Manager Search
The Culver Town Council members were updated last week on the search for a new town manager.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Approves Smoke Free Ordinance Amendment
The Culver Town Council members considered an amendment to an ordinance designating the Culver Town Park as a smoke free environment.
Continue readingCulver Town Council to Meet Tonight
The Culver Town Council members will discuss a golf cart permit issue when they meet tonight.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Hears Park Update
Culver Park Superintendent Amber Cowell presented the Culver Town Council members with an update on the playground and gathering space project last week.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Approves School Request, Retirement Resolutions for Employees
The Culver Town Council members considered a request from Culver Community School Superintendent Karen Shuman for access to post community items on the electronic sign that sits at the corner of State Road 10 and School Street.
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