By KEVIN NEVERS

Mark Hopkins, the owner of Hopkins Ace Hardware has already done his bit to contribute to the renaissance of South Calumet Road: buying the long vacant home of the old Smedman’s Econo-Mart and re-locating his business just across the street to that larger building.

Now he wants to improve traffic flow on South Calumet by adding a road cut to his parking lot and creating a dedicated entrance and dedicated exit. In between that pair of road cuts Hopkins plans to build, on an elevated concrete slab, a “lifestyle area” with park benches, flower pots, and decorative shrubs. All these things he may do without seeking specific approval from the Town of Chesterton.

But Hopkins also wants to install a decorative street light in the lifestyle area comparable to those in the Downtown, and while he’s happy to install it at his own expense, Hopkins was rather hoping that the Town Council might actually provide the street light.

At its meeting Monday night, the council agreed to do exactly that, by a vote of 4-0. Member Emerson DeLaney, R-5th, who works for Hopkins as the Ace manager, recused himself.

Street Commissioner John Schnadenberg estimated the cost of the street light at $2,500 and members approved an expenditure of CEDIT funds to purchase one, on the condition that Hopkins would enter into a “hold-harmless indemnification” agreement. The street light would be located in the public right-of-way.

“I think it’s a great plan,” said Member Sharon Darnell, D-4th.

Under Hopkins’ plan, the existing road cut would be narrowed until it precisely aligns with Lincoln Ave. across the street. That road cut would become the dedicated exit. A second road cut, the dedicated entrance, would be added to the south. In between he would build the lifestyle area.

Police Chief George Nelson expressed the opinion that the two road cuts would go far in reducing traffic congestion. “It would help,” he said, “if you have a clearly defined entrance and exit.”

“I really want to do my part,” Hopkins told the council, “and hopefully other business will do theirs.”

South Calumet Business District

In other business, members voted 5-0 to authorize Town Attorney Chuck Lukmann to proceed in three matters related to Phase I of the South Calumet Business District project.

Lukmann first asked permission to make this representation to a resident of the South Point subdivision, located off Beverly Drive, into whose detention pond the new stormwater system of the Business District will drain: namely, that the town itself will assume responsibility for re-engineering, cleaning, and maintaining the pond.

Lukmann also wanted permission to make offers to purchase two small parcels of “excess land”: a piece immediately north of the Rush Hour Foods gas station and the piece on which the farmer’s market has been located. The owners of those pair of properties have asked the town to buy them, he told the council, and he saw no reason not to, at a total estimated cost of $8,000.

Finally, Lukmann wanted “blanket authority,” as he put it, to proceed with eminent domain in the event any offer to purchase land for needed right-of-way is not accepted at the end of the 30-day window. He did emphasize, however, that such authority may not be needed, except in the case of a parcel presently held by a late owner’s estate. “We’ve had tremendous cooperation from property owners,” Lukmann said.

Re: Secondary Plat Approval

Members also voted 5-0 to approve on first reading an ordinance which authorizes the Town Planning Director to approve secondary plats, 5-0 to suspend the rules, then 5-0 to approve that ordinance on final reading.

Under current Town Code the Advisory Plan Commission has the responsibility of approving both primary and secondary plats, but Lukmann explained that giving the Town Planning Director—right now Steve Yagelski—the authority to okay secondary plats in consultation with staff would significantly streamline the process.

Lukmann noted that no discretion is involved in the approval of secondary plats, since they must merely conform with the primary plats.

Re: An Easement

Members voted 5-0 as well to accept the grant of an easement from the Lake Erie Land Company of an easement over 250E (Friday Road).

Lukmann told the council that staff wanted such an easement as part of the permitting of the Estates of Sand Creek VI.

Town Land for Sale

By consensus members authorized Lukmann to discuss the possibility of selling an irregularly shaped piece of property to Ogden Miller of 1585 S. 11th St. Miller has told the council that he wants to subdivide his lot but that without that sliver of land the newly created lot would be unbuildable as it would have no access to Chestnut Street.

Lukmann noted that, if the sliver were an unimproved right-of-way, the matter would be quickly resolvable: because the town has no use for the land, it could simply be vacated. But under Indiana Code the actual sale of public land to a private party is more complicated, involving among other things title work and an appraisal.

Lukmann did say that Miller would be responsible for paying any expenses associated with the sale.

Sidewalk Waiver Petition

Members referred to department heads the petition of Brian Oliver Jr. for a waiver from the Town Standard requiring the construction of a sidewalk in front of all new construction.

Oliver, the owner of property at 791 Dickinson Road, indicated in his petition that there are no sidewalks along the entire length of Dickinson Road, that sidewalks would not “fit the location,” and that his lot is located several feet above street level.

Posted 4/15/2008