Residents represented by an attorney for their Prairie Ridge subdivision in Porter County expressed opposition to annexation to absorb their neighborhood boundaries into the city limits of Valparaiso, which would raise taxes and dictate city services.
More than 30 residents attended the Sept. 13 Valparaiso City Council meeting for the second reading and public hearing for Ordinance No. 14 granting the annexation.
Attorney Charles Parkinson spoke on behalf Prairie Ridge Home Owners Association, which first received notice from the City of Valparaiso in August 2020 about the proposed annexation.
City of Valparaiso Planning Director Beth Shrader explained to Mayor Matt Murphy and council members about the municipal annexation process, reminding that six public meetings have already been held and the Sept. 13 public forum feedback would be logged to address concerns expressed. The adoption of the ordinance, which passed with council approval vote Sept. 13, occurs at the Oct. 25 with information provided to all Prairie Ridge residents about the opportunity for remonstrance.
Contention about the annexation plan has continued though the past year with unhappy homeowners after learning the city has a right to annex the subdivision and its 70 homes because of waivers signed, mostly by the builders who first owned the lots. The waivers grant the city the ability to annex the subdivision and were part of an early plan to provide city utilities to Prairie Ridge.
“This is not a voluntary annexation. It is involuntary and not being pursued by the homeowners as petitioners,” Parkinson explained.
“The primary opposition to the annexation is that it confers no measurable benefits to the homeowners, no additional services being provided, no provisions or improvements in the fiscal plan. This is strictly going to be taxation without any benefits for the owners.”
Parkinson said the annexation push is because of the waivers issued 15 years earlier.
“The problem with this process is you’re too late, because of a waiver already signed by the development owner of the entire 30 acres back in December 2004,” Parkinson said.
“That 15-year window started ticking at that moment and expired in 2019. So there is absolutely no question in my mind … this supports the homeowners’ case should you adopt this ordinance and this has to go to remonstrance. This annexation gives these homeowners nothing more than an additional tax owner they don’t want to pay; therefore we ask that you reject this plan.”
If the annexation is granted, homeowners in the subdivision, located in Center Township near Sturdy and Division roads, would likely see annually property taxes increase by $1,000.
Charles VanderStelt, who has lived at 2002 Arrowleaf Lane in the subdivision for two years, said he and his neighbors are happy with the existing attention they already receive from Porter County services.
“I’m a real estate agent in the area and Valparaiso is a wonderful city, so I hope my neighbors won’t hate me for saying this,” VanderStelt said, addressing the mayor and council during the public hearing forum of the meeting.
“I know we’re all freeloaders, and we know what library we all go to and what roads we drive on when we leave because of the proximity. But we like being in the county right now. I hope you see all of us, and our attorney, when we stand up and say we don’t want an extra tax bill and no additional services.”
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
