Infrastructure inadequacies at the partially constructed Tower Meadows subdivision in Center Township have prompted Porter County officials to take legal action against developers. The Porter County Plan Commission will speak to the Porter County Board of Commissioners at Tuesday night’s commissioners meeting about actions planned to alleviate the building and drainage problems.

The county filed the suit two weeks ago against SW Developers in hopes of gaining the funds needed to complete road repair such as replacing missing curbs and completing acceleration and deceleration lanes at the entrance of the subdivision. The county also hopes for the developers to complete retention pond work for erosion control and to fix clogged sewage drains. The county was also notified that the bond required to be posted by the developer to complete the work was no longer valid due to a bank failure associated with the developer.

Local developer and attorney Cliff Fleming is also expected to speak to the commissioners about getting the county on board with overseeing the changes that will take place surrounding the area where the new Porter Hospital is being planned in unincorporated Liberty Township. Fleming said at last week’s Chesterton Town Council meeting he will be attending Tuesday’s meeting where it is expected Porter County Commissioner President Robert Harper, D-Center, will call for the formation of a committee to include stakeholders who will take command in the master planning of the hospital impact area.

The site of the new hospital is on the northwest corner of Ind. 49 and U.S. 6. Fleming said at the town council meeting that careful planning will be beneficial to property owners in the long term based on his experience.

Also on the agenda, County Surveyor Kevin Breitzke will also give an update on the MS4 Water Program which deals with storm water quality in the northern municipalities of Porter County: Portage, Porter and Chesterton. Breitzke said he is renewing a contract with the Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission to educate the public about storm water drainage issues. He plans to discuss the matter with County Attorney Gwen Rinkenberger before giving his report Tuesday.

DLZ Indiana will fill in the commissioners about the progress replacing boilers at the Porter County Jail and the Old Jail Museum. The commissioners asked DLZ at the previous meeting to submit proposal to open and receive bids in order to cover some of the boilers’ cost. Enhanced 911 Director Dave Sheibels will also read his 2010 budget for the commissioner’s approval.

The commissioners will meet at 6 p.m. at the Porter County Administration Center, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso, Suite 205.

Posted 11/30/2009