Chesterton Tribune

 

 

County RDC: Airport TIF is 'ready to implement'

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By JEFF SCHULTZ

The Porter County Redevelopment Commission wants to work with the City of Valparaiso’s Economic Development Director on an interlocal agreement to create opportunities at and near the Porter County Regional Airport, but it would need action from the County Commissioners.

A resolution to create a tax increment finance (TIF) allocation area was put before the Commissioners by the RDC, but was shelved once Valparaiso’s Economic Director Patrick Lyp contacted the County suggesting the two entities could work together on an airport development zone.

Since then, the RDC has been going over the details on what a partnership between the two governments would entail.

The RDC unanimously agreed on a motion Thursday to formally state their willingness to work with Valparaiso on a joint effort to develop the airport area.

It learned however that the RDC is “limited” in what it can do until the Commissioners approve the TIF zone, according to its legal advisor Gregg Sobkowski.

In attendance, Airport Director Kyle Kuebler said the “In Plane View” study drafted over five years ago pointed out ways both entities could help provide utilities and resources by using TIF zones.

“I don’t think we need to start from scratch. We have the road map,” Kuebler said.

The airport has been eyed for development given its accessibility, Kuebler said, It sits off a federal highway, located between three railroads, is within miles of an international port, and has a runway longer than Midway International Airport in Chicago.

“We’ve got all four modes of transportation,” he said.

RDC non-voting member and advisor Ralph Ayres said the airport “is sort of like a jewel sitting there waiting to be developed.”

Some portions of the airport property, located northeast of the Ind. 49 - U.S. 30 intersection, are in the jurisdiction of the County, Kuebler said, and some are in Valparaiso’s, but the same zoning rules for development apply to each.

RDC member and County Councilman Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, said he wasn’t sure why efforts have stalled since there has been a plan in place for so long.

“I think he (Kuebler) is asking for implementation and getting this done.”

Since there is “not a lot (the RDC) can do” until the TIF is approved, Rivas suggested the board let the Commissioners know their goal to move forward. RDC member Dave Burrus felt holding a meeting with Commissioners would be prudent.

“I think the link to us and the Commissioners needs to be developed a little bit closer,” Burrus said.

RDC members agreed with Rivas and also in a motion agreed to honor Valparaiso’s request to share in the costs of hiring a consultant for a zoning study. In the motion, the RDC said it would pay half the costs of whatever the final price tag will be. The total is reportedly $38,000.

Another condition would be that with the costs split evenly, the City and the County will decide jointly which consultant to hire.

Burrus emphasized close collaboration with the City as the board “needs to see that whatever we do does not cause isolation between the two boards.”

RDC members directed Sobkowski to put their motions into a letter to Lyp.

In another action, the RDC appointed member Robert Thompson, executive director of the County Plan Commission, to be their point of contact for prospective businesses looking to come into the development area.

The RDC will not meet in December and will convene for its organizational meeting on Jan. 15.

 

Posted 11/21/2014

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

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