BREAKING GROUND: Planning and building Commission gives annual report

COLUMBIA CITY — Whitley County’s Board of Commissioners heard the 2012 annual report for the Planning and Building Department at Monday’s meeting.

Dave Sewell, executive director of the department, reported 2012 was a “bigger year in total compared to 2011.”

There were 122 more permits issued in 2012 than 2011, and the value of those permits were more than $40 million, which is $7 million more than the previous year.

However, there were some areas that saw decreases.

“The number that was down was single family permits,” Sewell said. “We did see a fairly substantial increase in residential additions.”

There was an overall increase in revenue as well by approximately $2,000.

“It was about a three percent increase,” Sewell said. “That is nothing extraordinary, but higher than it has been.”

Sewell noted City Ford receiving a new building and projects at Steel Dynamics as among the highlights for 2012.

He said Smith Township had a great deal of activity in 2012, with work at Churubusco Junior-Senior High School and work with the fire department’s station.

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