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By Dan Schaetzle, St. Joseph County Councilman, Granger
This month, I am reviewing the St. Joseph County Council’s decision to rezone St. Joseph Farm from agricultural to industrial.
St. Joseph Farm is slightly larger than 900 acres and sits on the north and south sides of Cleveland Road, south of the toll road and between Bittersweet and Current roads. On the south side of Cleveland, it extends west towards the railroad tracks and Capital Avenue. The farm is privately owned, and the owner petitioned the county to rezone the property to industrial after a domestic data company showed interest in the property. This rezoning fits in the county’s Capital Avenue Land Use Plan, which was developed with contributions from county and city of Mishawaka stakeholders.
As councilman for the district in which the rezoning was requested, it was not my job to make a case for this project. Rather, it was my job to listen to constituents both for and against the rezoning, investigate their concerns, hear the perspective of the landowner, understand the intent of the company or companies interested in the purchase, and comprehend any other benefit or liability to the county and its residents if the property were to be rezoned. Residents’ concerns included water usage, noise pollution, traffic, loss of farmland, power usage, and how the scenery would change.
Water usage seemed to be the number one concern. Data centers require water to cool their equipment; however, because of our temperate climate, a data center in our community will not use near the amount of water used for similar facilities in Georgia, Florida or Texas.
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By Dan Schaetzle, St. Joseph County Councilman, Granger
Additionally, the water used by the data center will not come from the aquifer that supplies our homes here in Granger. Rather, it will come from Mishawaka Utilities, which pulls water from a deeper aquifer separated by a clay barrier from the aquifer that supplies our water. The city of Mishawaka has in fact done volumetric and qualitative testing of the lower aquifer to be sure drawing water does not affect the upper aquifer. Based on their findings, our water source is safe.
Noise pollution was also a concern of residents who live near the proposed location. Data centers produce noise levels up to 96 dB(A), which is an expression of the relative loudness of sound as perceived by the human ear. The toll road just to the north of St. Joseph Farm produces between 70 and 80 dB(A) at a distance of 50 feet from the highway—a relatively constant hum with louder moments. The laws of physics tell us that whenever a distance from a source of sound doubles, the intensity of the sound decreases by six dB(A) (for example, if you move from 50 to 100 feet from the sound). The closest residence to the most northeasterly possibility for the data center is 292 linear feet away. With the reduction in sound caused by that distance, and without subtracting for reductions caused by vegetative buffering and the setback of the data center, the closest residence will experience noise from the proposed data center at least 22 to 32 dB(A) quieter than the noise produced by toll road traffic. In other words, the sound of the toll road will still be the loudest, most consistent sound that they hear.
Concern was also voiced that any entrance to the facility from Bittersweet or Cleveland would be dangerous, and that the overall traffic load of those two roads will become unmanageable. Data from the Indiana Department of Transportation helps to alleviate those concerns. According to INDOT, the proposed development of St. Joseph Farm will have an impact of 3 to 6 percent increase in road utilization. This is much less than the impact subdivision or office park developments would have. In order to further address residents’ concerns, I will propose that Bittersweet be widened with turn lanes or that any exit from the facility onto Bittersweet be limited so only right-turning traffic enters or exits the facility. Also, there will have to be work done on Cleveland to construct turn lanes for the main entrance and exit to the facility, and the Current Road junction with Cleveland will have to be reformed.
In addition to the concerns I have already addressed, the loss of farmland and the crops produced was brought up. The numbers vary on how much land it takes to feed an American, but if we take the average of those numbers we get 1.8 acres. With approximately 340 million people in the United States, it then takes 612 million acres to feed our population. As 2023 ended, the United States had 878.6 million acres of farmland. In fact, we produce enough food to feed our population and export 20 percent of farm products by value. Even with the loss of about 1.8 million acres of farmland to development every year, we are not in any danger of running out of food.
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By Dan Schaetzle, St. Joseph County Councilman, Granger
Finally, brownouts were also voiced as concerns. Data centers do use a lot of power. To address this concern, any purchaser of St. Joseph Farm will have to work with Indiana Michigan Power to build a separate substation to deliver their power. Therefore, the data center will not be on the same substation as the rest of Granger. This requirement should protect us from power failures in our homes and businesses. The county will work closely with the buyer of the property and the power company to be sure their plan is solid and does not put Granger homes at risk of brownouts.
With all of those concerns addressed, there is no doubt that the scenery is going to change. A drive down Current, Bittersweet or across Cleveland will not be the same. An electrical substation and large buildings on part of the land will be unattractive to some folks. The nostalgic white buildings of St. Joseph Farm, however, will remain. The current owner is not selling that part of the property. In addition, there will be a 200-foot-wide natural barrier along Juday Creek as it cuts through the property. Other areas of the property are not fit for buildings, including the southeast corner of the property. I will encourage the buyers to allow those areas to go back to their natural state—the way they looked prior to their drainage for agricultural uses.
Commissioner Baxmeyer and I will also request that the buyers contribute to community projects. Those could include contribu-
tions to the Anderson Road Park, an extension of Granger paths, other green spaces and technology-related programs in our schools. In addition, the building of the data center will contribute several hundred construction jobs and up to 300 well-paying permanent jobs.
Given our ability as a council to successfully respond to the concerns of some residents and the support of others, the added jobs and diversification this project brings to our economy, as well as the potential community projects and increase in tax base (money the county can spend to improve our lives through better roads, bridges and fulfilling other needs), I voted for the rezoning and will continue to work towards the realization of this project.
FRANKLIN, IN – Franklin College has announced its dean's list for the spring 2024 semester.
Students named to the dean's list have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours during a regular semester, earning a grade point average of at least 3.5 but less than 4.0. The following students from north-central Indiana have been named to Franklin College’s dean's list:
• Matthew Early, senior, from Mishawaka
• Celeste Hollis, sophomore, from Granger
• Shay Kyser, sophomore, from Bremen
• Jacob Stauffer, junior, from Elkhart
The students of Debbie Werbrouck School of Dance have several opportunities to learn about and support multiple Michiana causes that the school helps through its Leadership Program, but one opportunity has a unique twist.
The Dancing for a Difference benefit for Beacon Children’s Hospital is structured for students to use their own talents to achieve their goal.
While the dance school supports the project with rental fees and technical coordination, the students themselves present two self-choreographed performances.
The production process includes music selection and approval, choreography, casting and costuming, as well as rehearsals and performance. Dance styles presented include ballet, tap, jazz, modern and hip hop.
This benefit is an opportunity for students to use the talents they developed, along with their own self-expression, for the benefit of the hospital and the enjoyment of the audiences. To date, Debbie Werbrouck School of Dance and its students have contributed over $26,000 to Beacon Children’s Hospital. This year, performances will be held at the Battell Community Center, Mishawaka, on Thursday, Aug. 1, at 6 and 7:30 p.m.
For those interested in attending or supporting the event, tickets and further information about the school’s programs can be obtained by calling 574-247-1590.
The Granger Business Association, a nonprofit organization, has raised enough money to award five $2,000 scholarships to area students to help defray college expenses.
Criteria for selection of the winners includes academics, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and several short essays. Applicants also must reside in the 46530 zip code to receive initial consideration.
The winners of the 2023 GBA Scholarships are:
Bella Bauer, daughter of Kevin and Jenna Bauer. She is a graduate of Penn High School and will head to Purdue University in the fall. She plans to focus her studies in the kinesiology program.
Layla Berry, daughter of Seth and Megan Berry. Layla will attend Indiana University and will pursue a major in elementary education. She is a graduate of Penn High School.
Christian and Amy Espinoza are the parents of Ethan C. Espinoza. Ethan is a graduate of Penn High School and will attend Purdue University in West Lafayette. Ethan will pursue an integrated business and engineering major.
Thomas R. Galiher, son of Sean and Sarah Galiher. Thomas will attend Purdue University and major in engineering. He is a graduate of Penn High School.
Michelle Yaun, daughter of LiangQiang Yaun and Miao Zhong. Michelle is a graduate of Penn High School and will be attending Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. She is majoring in hospitality and hotel management.
Interesting Tidbits:
- Dog days of summer: The phrase "dog days of summer" refers to hot summer days, but it has more to do with stars than dogs. The Roman phrase dies caniculares began around the end of July when the star Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, rose in the sky before the sun.
- June bugs: June bugs, also known as May bugs or June beetles, lay eggs in the summer and their grubs spend the winter underground.
On July 12, come to an electrifying evening at the Art Fair on the Bluff’s Block Party, presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services. Indulge in a variety of beer and wine, savor delicious food from local food trucks, and enjoy live entertainment in celebration of this event. Mingle with exhibiting artists and connect with fellow art enthusiasts in the community.
From 5 to 6:30 p.m., enjoy live music with St. Joe Jack, bringing a vibrant mix of acoustic dance music and jazz-grass, featuring hits from Stevie Wonder, Grateful Dead, Louis Armstrong and more. Then, the evening’s headliner, Benton Harbor-based Sankofa, will keep the dancing going all night with their eclectic blend of neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop and funk.
Satisfy your cravings with a diverse selection of food trucks, including Diana’s Kitchen, serving home-cooked soul food; Ben’s Soft Pretzels, offering sweet and salty treats from Benton Harbor; and Tazty Treatz and More from South Bend, with a variety of slushies, ice creams and creative desserts. Round Barn Winery and Estate and The Livery Microbrewery will provide beer and wine for $5 a glass, and Pepsi products will be available for $3.
General admission tickets for guests aged 13 and above are $5. Purchase tickets online at krasl.org, or day-of tickets can be purchased at the event entrance under Rising Crossing Tides. KAC members enjoy free admission; bring your membership card or staff will look you up at the gate.
On July 13–14, enjoy an unforgettable experience at the 62nd Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff, presented by 1st Source Bank Wealth Advisory Services. The artist booths open at 10 a.m. for all visitors.
Join the Friends of Bendix Woods and Spicer Lake to discover how to provide important habitat for pollinators in your backyard. The presentation will be followed by a potluck supper and a brief meeting, where attendees can hear updates about volunteer opportunities and other ways that the Friends organization supports the parks. Please bring a dish to pass as well as your own table service and beverage.
The program is free and will take place on Wednesday, July 10, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the Visitor Center at Spicer Lake Nature Preserve. For information and directions, call 574-654-3155.
INDIANAPOLIS – This summer, all Indiana students ages 18 and younger have access to free, nutritious meals and snacks at more than 1,000 locations statewide through the 2024 Summer Food Service Program.
To find a Summer Food Service site, families can use the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder to search for sites near them. Site locations and meal service times vary based on local area. Households can find information about the meal types served and days of the week when meals are offered. Families can also call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE or use the No Kid Hungry Summer Meals Texting Hotline by texting “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 304-304 to find the closest meal service sites. Free SFSP meals are still available to all children ages 18 and under even if families are participating in Indiana SUN Bucks (Summer EBT).
Site locations and meal service times vary throughout the state, and locations range from parks and community centers to schools, churches and mobile feeding sites. For more than 40 years, the Summer Food Service Program has provided children ages 18 and under with access to free, nutritious meals and snacks during the summer months.
The Summer Food Service Program is a federal nutrition program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Indiana Department of Education. The program is designed to meet the needs of low-income children in areas where children may have limited access to good nutrition.
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is hosting public information meetings to provide updates and gather feedback regarding Charging the Crossroads, INDOT’s plan to expand Indiana’s statewide electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
Charging the Crossroads is federally funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, created by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with the goal of deploying a national network of at least 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030.
Attendees will hear updates on program implementation and provide feedback on potential charging station locations as well as recommended equity and inclusion metrics.
Public information meetings will be held around the state as part of INDOT’s ongoing efforts to engage stakeholders with the Charging the Crossroads program.
In March, INDOT announced the first round of 39 awards through Charging the Crossroads after receiving more than 100 applications in response to last year’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). INDOT anticipates a second NOFO to be released later this year focused on addressing remaining gaps in the state’s EV charging network.
More information is available at ChargingtheCrossroads.com.
The History Museum is joining with museums in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, to offer free admission to U.S. military personnel and their families from May 18 to Sept. 2 (Armed Forces Day to Labor Day) as part of the Blue Star Museums program. A military ID is required.
Admission to the museum includes visits to all exhibits as well as guided tours of the Oliver Mansion. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Daily tours of the Oliver Mansion are offered.
The History Museum is the site of the Oliver Mansion, a 38room historic house that was once home to the J. D. Oliver family. All furnishings are original to the home, providing a wonderful glimpse of how the family lived. Two acres of lush gardens surround the Oliver Mansion. In The History Museum's galleries, discover compelling stories of history, from the prehistoric era to present-day cities.
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across the country.
For information, call The History Museum at (574) 235-9664 ext. 6256 or visit www.historymuseumSB.org.
STATEHOUSE – State Sen. Linda Rogers (R-Granger) will serve as a member of the Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight in preparation for the 2025 legislative session.
"Study committees provide lawmakers with additional time to research topics that may be addressed during the upcoming legislative session," Rogers said. "I am pleased to be on the Interim Study Committee on Pension Management Oversight and look forward to thoroughly reviewing and discussing annual reports concerning the status of local pension accounts and other financial reports with my fellow committee members and industry experts."
Legislators will meet over the summer and fall months to discuss topics approved by the bipartisan Legislative Council, which comprises 16 voting members—eight from the Senate and eight from the House of Representatives.
