Parts of southern Elkhart County are in the process of being annexed into the town of Syracuse to accommodate a new high-end RV resort. The Elkhart County Commissioners gave their consent for the annexation of property near C.R. 29 and County Line Road during a meeting on Monday. The annexation will involve a significant portion of land, but it will take time to complete.

Elkhart County attorney Steve Olsen explained that the entire area must be annexed simultaneously to ensure that it remains contiguous. This requirement means that some nearby properties will also need to be annexed as part of the process. 

The annexation is intended to support the development of North Trace RV Resort in Benton Township, a 45-acre project located near the Country Meadows Manufactured Home Community.

According to a report by the Goshen News, the RV resort is expected to consist of approximately 60% camper spaces, with the remaining 40% allocated to stormwater retention, open space, or other uses. 

Owner Steve Showalter had previously informed the board in fall 2024 that the resort will not offer seasonal rates, instead providing short-term stays of up to one month.

Debrah Hughes, a representative of Surveying and Mapping LLC, confirmed that the town of Syracuse has agreed to extend water and sewer services to the property within 1,000 feet. 

Town Manager David Wilkinson added that Showalter has agreed to install the necessary infrastructure along Huntington Street. 

Wilkinson noted that the town had already planned a pipe upgrade, so the work to accommodate the annexation will be done sooner than initially scheduled.

The annexation process is still in the early stages. However, both Showalter and the Country Meadows community have agreed to voluntary annexation. A formal petition for the annexation is not expected to begin immediately. 

Showalter had expressed concerns about the timing of the annexation, particularly regarding permits previously obtained in Elkhart County. Wilkinson assured that the delay is not a significant issue, stating that it would take at least a year for the annexation to be completed in any case.

The primary cost of the annexation will be related to the legal process and ensuring that the town’s utility infrastructure can accommodate the additional properties. 

Wilkinson explained that Country Meadows is already connected to city sewer, and once water service is extended, the property owner will have the option to connect to city water. 

He also emphasized that the town has sufficient utility capacity to handle the added properties and noted that there are no other annexation projects currently in the works for Syracuse.