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By VICKI URBANIK Plans for a three-unit commercial building just north of the Duneland Schools’ bus barns was dealt a setback Wednesday, when the Porter County Plan Commission unanimously gave the proposed rezoning an unfavorable recommendation. The Lannert Group of Geneva, Ill. is seeking to rezone the three-quarter acre parcel from its current Residential-1 status to a commercial zone known as Moderate Intensity Commercial (CM). The somewhat triangular-shaped parcel in unincorporated Liberty Township is sandwiched between C.R. 100 East and Old 49 and is located just north of the Duneland School’s Special Services Facility. The Porter County Commissioners, who have the final say on rezonings, are scheduled to hear the case Nov. 18. In no uncertain terms, a few plan commission members described the site as a lousy place for a new strip mall type of development. “This is going to be a nightmare,” said plan commission member Rich Burns. The traffic at the intersection with the bus barns is already busy, Burns said, and would become even busier with a commercial development. He said he can envision traffic tie-ups, similar to the backed-up traffic that often occurs in Valparaiso on Ind. 2 and Silhavy Road. “I see the same thing here,” he said. Plan Commission member Robert Detert also said the parcel is a poor choice for a commercial building. “I think the traffic is horrendous there,” he said. The plans were presented by J. Christopher Lannert, a landscape architect and planner. Noting that the project is still in its early phase, he said the exact businesses that would locate in the building are not yet known. But tentatively, he said, the plans call for a 8,400-square foot building that would include two small tenants and one larger one, with 42 total parking spaces on the north and south side of the building and access on both sides. He agreed that the intersection with Ind. 49 is busy, but said that will be the advantage for developing this parcel commercially. He also said the intersection will probably become even busier with the Coffee Creek development across Ind. 49, and that the project complements the mixed-used Coffee Creek project. Several neighboring residents spoke out during Wednesday’s public hearing, seeking more details about the project and raising concerns about drainage and traffic. Betty Smith, a resident of Old 49, also pointed out that traffic is already busy and that the area doesn’t have sidewalks. “I’m just a little concerned about the increased traffic,” she said. The county’s CM district allows a wide variety of commercial uses -- from restaurants to bowling alleys -- but one possible use mentioned in the petitioner’s paperwork is an auto detailing business. Plan Commission member Tim Cole said that raises concerns about possible hazardous emissions in the neighborhood. Because the CM zone allows so many different types of businesses, Detert urged Lannert to narrow down the list of what definitely would not be built at the site and to prepare this list when the rezoning goes before the commissioners. Plan Commission member Herb Read raised a concern about drainage, saying that the parcel isn’t large enough for a retention pond if about 85 percent of the site will become hard surface. “I don’t see how it can be effective,” he said. Read also said if the parcel is rezoned commercial, a traffic light should be at the Ind. 49 intersection. But he also said that while the Indiana Department of Transportation is the entity that would approve a new signal, he feels the county should look more closely at traffic concerns, including traffic studies, for the area. Cole disagreed with the premise that just because the Coffee Creek project might take off, the parcel across Ind. 49 is suited for commercial. He said the plans for Coffee Creek have changed so much, with the initial plans for a unique, environmentally sensitive community. He said he now fears the whole development will become a heavy commercial use with little regard for the Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve. Those voting to give the rezoning an unfavorable recommendation were: Burns, Detert, Cole, Read and Kevin Breitzke. Absent were Robert Harper, Elizabeth Marshall and Rita Stevenson.
Posted 10/9/2008
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