By PAULENE POPARAD

Opponents broke into applause and were ecstatic.

If GK Development Inc. officials were stunned, they didn’t show it.

The Chesterton Advisory Plan Commission had just voted 5-2 Wednesday to forward an unfavorable recommendation to the Town Council, which meets Monday, on GK’s proposed 351,419 square-foot retail mall at the southeast corner of Indiana 49 and County Road 1100N.

It was that specific location that commission members Fred Owens and Jeff Trout said led them to vote yes on Trout’s motion giving the mall, that would include a Target, a Kohl’s and 1,400 parking spaces, the thumbs down on GK’s proposed site.

But could a second 369,000 square-foot retail mall recently announced for nearby Coffee Creek Center that has no tenants committed be a better match for the two national retailers? Or another location?

According to Trout, “A Target representative testified last month they have been looking at Chesterton for over three years. That leads me to believe they may be looking at other areas than just this particular corner.”

But it’s 1100N and Indiana 49 under consideration now. Said Trout, “I have no doubt that 40 acres could be an outstanding development like (GK) has done in other parts of the Midwest. I’m convinced more than ever now it’s the wrong location. It’s a good project in the wrong site.”

Traffic concerns led Owens to vote against the GK plan. He said the Illinois developer should pay more than the $50,000 they’re offering toward upgrading 1100N on the west side of Indiana 49 to County Road 100E. “In my mind, it’s not really enough. Is this it? Is it your final offer? I see that as a drop in the bucket at this point.”

Consultants have estimated about $157,000 in improvements including a traffic signal at 100E and 1100N are needed on the west side.

Local GK attorney Greg Babcock said problems there exist now without GK and the town is moving to develop plans to improve traffic flow. GK is paying its fair share, he added, and the new property taxes GK will generate --- an estimated net $337,000 annually when the mall is fully built out --- can fund needed road improvements.

Trout said traffic Sunday morning at Valparaiso Marketplace mall where a Target and a Kohl’s are located had traffic backed up blocking Indiana 2. Someone thought that traffic plan was adequate, he noted, and he doesn’t want to make the same mistake in Chesterton.

The GK mall is projected to add about 6,000 more vehicles per day at its location.

Trout also predicted that once “outstanding retailers” like Target and Kohl’s build, in short order there will be huge market pressure on surrounding property owners near the GK development to sell and the retail complex will expand outward. “In my opinion we’d be painting ourself into a corner to start the retail development at that particular location.”

Commission member Mike Bannon was the only other one to make extended remarks prior to the GK vote. He, like Trout, said he did not believe the retail mall would be the death knell of Chesterton’s downtown as opponents, including some downtown business owners, have warned. “I don’t believe GK Development is the devil. Whatever happens the sun will rise in the east tomorrow and set in the west.”

There was no discussion after the motion was made. Voting yes to forward an unfavorable recommendation were Trout, Bannon, Owens, Sig Neipokoj and Paul Christofersen. Voting no were commission President George Stone and town planner Steve Yagelski.

Bannon and Christofersen also are members of the Town Council.

The commission had the option of forwarding a favorable recommendation, an unfavorable recommendation or no recommendation.

As the company has throughout its seven months of public meetings seeking approval for a planned-unit development or PUD, GK representatives vice-president Kurt Kroll and company principal Greg Kveton had no comment last night.

Opponents, several of them members of the newly formed Duneland First sustainable-development group, were overjoyed yet cautiously optimistic.

“I could cry,” said a happy Laura DeSousa. “It’s just the beginning. The Town Council’s next. It’s so thrilling. These guys listened and took our comments to heart. We were very afraid they’d send it ahead with a ‘yes’ vote. I’m kind of surprised. It gives us faith in our officials and hope for the future.”

After the meeting Stone said the town’s future is why he supported the mall because its commercial tax revenue would offset the cost of providing services to residences, would make shopping accessible to those like seniors who don’t want to drive to Target and Kohl’s in Valparaiso, the mall wouldn’t affect the downtown, and it had a traffic and a stormwater plan that would meet the project’s needs.

As for allegations that the mall would change the character of Chesterton, “I find it difficult to understand how replacing a truck terminal and an auto agency with a shopping center would do that,” added Stone.

Trout emphasized that approving GK’s PUD ordinance would rezone 41 acres, now mostly industrial land, for commercial use. Three businesses on the site --- Nielsen Nissan; Priority Refrigerated Services, a truck terminal; and a wedge-shaped office building --- would be demolished to make way for the mall. At one time the latter building housed high-paying jobs, said Trout, and it’s short-sighted to tear it down for a Taco Bell.

It’s also counterproductive, he added, to tear down established businesses and lose that property tax base when a mall built elsewhere would preserve and add to it.

If safer access for light-industrial traffic to the 40 acres GK eyes was provided, “It could be that property could be opened up and used as it’s currently zoned because we had the owners of the property testify last month there’s been no attempt to sell the real estate (as industrial land) so we’ve not even had a chance as a Plan Commission to see if all the hard work and time and effort we put into our Comprehensive Plan is going to work,” said Trout, generating applause.

Niepokoj asked if the green space paralleling Indiana 49 on GK’s west side would remain open space. GK architect Wayne Marth said it would remain so until approximately six outlots there are reviewed and approved as each is developed. Additional smaller anchor stores are planned on the east side.

Bannon’s comments mostly dealt with Chesterton’s downtown and the emotionalism surrounding the GK petition.

Bannon encouraged retailers working together in a positive fashion instead of being against something. “Based on the current make-up of the downtown, a development like (GK’s) will have no effect. It’s also encumbent upon the downtown merchants and property owners to work together to strengthen the downtown. It’s an important part of Chesterton but I don’t feel the town residents and taxpayers shoulder all of the burden for making it as good as it can be.”

“I’ve heard talk of a secret plan that’s in the works that isn’t being shared with the Plan Commission or the Town Council because of some perceived conspiracy. I feel that’s a shame and we’re not at cross purposes,” he continued, adding that he wants ideas shared with him.

“I also heard and read the fix is in regarding this (GK) proposal in town government, that we want to sell the town. Frankly, I find that offensive and unnecessary,” said Bannon, calling for reasonableness.

“I really hope folks forget emotionalism for just a second and remember we’re all here for the same reason, whether we agree or disagree...I ask we control the rhetoric.” Bannon said there are a number of people in the community who want the GK mall. “I won’t make a decision on this development based on a dare either for or against.”

Bannon prefaced his remarks by saying that it speaks well of the community’s vitality to see so many people interested and involved. While it’s good to hear from Chesterton’s neighbors, “My belief is the opinion that matters most is the one from folks who reside here.”

Mary Ann Crayton of Dune Acres, who’s opposed the mall, attended Wednesday’s meeting. “People who don’t live in Chesterton shop in Chesterton. We do support the town so I don’t think they should sell us short.” As for the commission’s vote, “I’m very encouraged and very proud. I’m really, really appreciative that the Plan Commission put in so many hours and thought into this. Even if we’d lost, I appreciate their work.”

Posted 3/23/2006