By VICKI URBANIK

New housing starts fell in Porter County's unincorporated areas last year, but a slight growth was experienced in Duneland's rural areas. Countywide, the Porter County Plan Commission issued permits for 452 single-family houses last year, down from 455 in 1999. Multi-family permits also fell, from 22 in 1999 to 10 last year.

In just the Duneland community, the number of new single-family houses in Jackson, Liberty, Westchester and Pine townships fell from 100 in 1999 to 94 last year. But with an increase in multi-family units in Liberty Township, the overall total of new residential units was 107, up from 104 the year before.

Countywide, Center Township led the way with new housing starts with 95, followed by Porter Township with 92. Jackson Township had the third most, with 49.

Jackson

Jackson Township's new housing held steady, with 49 single-family houses, the same as in 1999. No permits were issued for multi-family units.

Jackson had a total of 159 building permits, with an estimated construction value of $11,162,377. The year before, the township's 171 permits totaled $12.3 million.

Jackson's permits included one new communications tower at 478E 1000N, valued at $180,000.

Liberty

Liberty Township saw an increase in both single and multi-family construction last year.

New single-family houses went from 35 in 1999 to 37 last year, while multi-family units increased from four to 13, bringing the total number of new units to 50, compared to 39 the year before.

The new construction in Liberty Township also included a $315,000 addition to Faith Memorial Lutheran Church, a $4 million addition to Liberty Bible Church, and a $135,000 AT&T communications tower at 165E U.S. 6.

Liberty had a total of 163 permits last year totaling $12,695,063 in estimated construction costs. In 1999, the 166 permits totaled $7.3 million. Westchester

One new single-family house was permitted in Westchester Township last year, compared to four in 1999. No permits were issued for multi-family units.

The township had a total of 39 building permits, with an estimated construction value of $534,913. In 1999, Westchester had 46 permits totaling $1.7 million.

Pine

Pine Township had seven new single-family houses last year, a drop from 12 the year before. No permits were issued for multi-family units. A total of 40 permits were issued in the township last year totaling $1,743,200. That compares to 44 permits in 1999 totaling $1.6 million.

Countywide Stats

Countywide, the plan commission approved primary plats for 17 new subdivisions, up from 14 the year before and 15 in 1998. These new subdivisions included a total of 947 lots on about 767 acres.

The number of secondary plats was 16, down from 23 the year before.

Secondary, or final, plats represent the final stage in subdivision planning. Center Township had the most number of approved lots, with 75, followed by 44 in Liberty Township.

The plan commission's Technical Advisory Committee approved 93 lots as part of minor subdivisions, which are those with four lots or less. This was an increase from the 78 approved in 1999.

In addition, the plan commission recommended approval of one planned unit development, down from two in 1999, and recommended approval of four rezonings, down from 12 the year before.