By VICKI URBANIK

Sixty acres in Pine Township are in the process of getting rezoned to a park district for a private retreat center to be known as Inspiration Wood.

The Porter County Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously gave first reading approval to the rezoning, from Rural-Residential, for the property located at C.R. 1200N. and 650E.

As proposed by Ron and Kim Vansessen of Chesterton, Inspiration Wood will be open for rentals from corporations, families, churches and the like. Initially, seven cabins will be built, with up to 15 total. Also planned are a gathering place, a greeting barn, and pool facilities.

The rezoning was unanimously endorsed by the Porter County Plan Commission, with stipulations. Those conditions were included in a set of written commitments that the Vansessen’s attorney, Todd Leeth, presented Tuesday. The commitments include lighting and sound buffers and a pledge not to allow other uses in a P-2 zoning, such as a RV camp or a paintball facility.

During a public hearing, neighboring resident and Pine Township Board member Tom Lipinski questioned if the retreat will be tax-exempt. He also questioned if the rezoning would revert to RR if the retreat fails.

Leeth said the retreat will not be tax exempt. He also said if the retreat should close, the property would remain P-2, as with any other rezoning. However, Leeth and the Vansessens agreed that the property could revert to RR, and the commissioners agreed to address this issue when the rezoning comes up for second and final reading.

Another neighbor, Mary Ann Zona Gregg, raised several concerns on behalf of other neighbors. One of the concerns dealt with parking for large-scale events, like a big wedding. Leeth said the Vansessens don’t anticipate having large events but if there is one, the grounds will provide adequate parking.

Gregg also noted that railroad tracks are nearby, as she questioned if the train noise would impact the serenity of the retreat. But Leeth said the Vansessens, who seriously considered other sites as well, took that into consideration.

North Porter County Commissioner John Evans asked if there has been any thought to establishing a conservancy district in the area for sewage treatment. Leeth said by itself, Inspiration Wood will not be large enough to support a conservancy district; Evans said that eventually, Pine Township will get additional development that could prompt a conservancy district.

County Commissioner President Robert Harper raised a legal concern that the rezoning was being approved though the Vansessens are not yet the owners of the property. He and County Attorney Gwenn Rinkenberger suggested that the actual owners may have to sign documents in support of the rezoning. This issue will also be addressed when the rezoning comes up for second reading on July 1.

Posted 6/18/2008