By PAULENE POPARAD

Chesterton Board of Zoning Appeals members opted to view the proverbial glass half-full rather than half-empty and voted 5-0 Tuesday to allow a video-console gaming center to operate at 209 Broadway as a special exception to the zoning ordinance.

After extended discussion members said they opted to give the youth of the community the benefit of the doubt. They also warned petitioner Susan Thompson that they were putting a lot of trust in her.

“This is a tough decision,” said member Emerson Delaney. Nevertheless, “I believe these people are putting forth a good-faith effort for the youth of our town.”

With no comparable business in the area, member Jeff Trout told Thompson, “It’s a fairly unique situation you’re creating here. If it happens the way you’re saying, it’ll be a good thing for the community.”

The BZA imposed six conditions on the approval including that Thompson is to be the owner/operator of T&T Gaming and that her use is not transferrable to another person or business. Also, while the gaming is open to all ages, any child age 15 or under must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian on the premises after the time of legal curfew.

Additional conditions were the specific video-PC gaming activities allowed, gambling not among them although reserved-group parties and Internet-connection gaming are. Also required is having a separate controlled area for Mature-rated (age 17 and up) games with no adult-only games permitted. The floor plan must be approved by the building commissioner/fire inspector.

Seven persons commented during a public hearing.

After the vote Thompson was enthusiastic about opening soon, hopefully Dec. 8. “It’s fantastic. I’m so happy.” She plans to offer 17 XBOX 360 game centers, some live on a broadband connection, in addition to five PS-2, gaming PC’s and consoles with HDTV.

Opponents like Gene Scott raised concerns about noise, loitering and smoking by patrons outside the gaming center and possibly even drug sales and/or use. BZA members questioned Thompson how she would address each issue. “We’ll try to police this as best we can,” she stressed, outlining her plans including perimeter patrols by staff and video surveillance indoors and possibly outside.

Despite her best intentions, BZA attorney Charles Lukmann said Thompson can’t dictate what someone does on a public sidewalk, but she can ban someone from her business or call the town police.

Regarding the drug allegations, member Jim Kowalski said, “Whether this place or any place.....if it’s going to happen it’ll happen, no matter what.” He also said if video games are so unrighteous, why do they offer them at Disney World? “Tomorrow if the YMCA would decide to do this, would it be any different?”

Scott alluded to problems with an arcade that formerly operated in Chesterton in the 1980’s. Observed Kowalski, “Something that happened 20 years ago, I don’t think we can blame Mrs. Thompson for this.”

Paul Peterson said he’s firmly against the gaming center fearing it would do no good for 12- and 13-year-olds. Kay Gersna, who owns a building at 201 Broadway, said new business and something for teens is good, but her concern was they might congregate and smoke at the grassy corner of 2nd Street and Broadway and possibly damage her building.

BZA President Kim Goldak said she received a letter opposing the gaming center but it was not signed so for that reason she did not read it into the record.

The gaming center had its supporters. William Thompson, 20, endorsed his mother’s plans. “This is ideal. This is what this town needs.” Christopher Phillips, 19, said the business would be a healthy alternative for what children are doing in the town now. Tom Leasure said his sister’s gaming center would give skateboarders and kids on bicycles a supervised place to go.

Several references were made to skateboarders. Goldak said it’s not fair to paint them in a negative light. “These are our children and our future. We need to invest in that.”

During public comment Cheryl Miller asked Thompson why she needed to offer Mature-rated computer games at all. Thompson said adults also will be patrons and while M games may have violence and blood, absolutely no pornographic material will be allowed and the gaming computers could not be used for Internet browsing.

Internet gaming tournaments would be offered allowing kids to talk to kids on other continents, noted Thompson. A parent/adult guardian will be required to sign a consent slip in person at T&T giving permission for their children to use the gaming consoles.

BZA member Fred Owens said the gaming center will differ from an arcade where if one has a dollar they can hang around all day; T&T patrons will pay per hour or by block of time. They also may reserve time in advance. Owens asked if the gaming computers are in use and people are waiting, what would Thompson do?

She said she’d invite them to the pre-packaged snack bar where a television with movies would be playing. “We’re trying to pack as much as we can into that 2,400 square-foot space.” She also said she wants to emphasize development of socialization skills and keep reinventing the gaming so patrons won’t get bored.

Delaney said the Boys/Girls Club and the Grant Street batting cages, both in Chesterton, attract youth yet so far have presented no problems. He also noted the gaming center will allow the future’s leaders to play computer games some otherwise couldn’t afford.

Goldak said Thompson has a $45,000 incentive to succeed, the amount Thompson said she’s investing in the gaming center. Kowalski said if Thompson doesn’t comply with the conditions imposed, she’ll have to answer to the BZA.

Posted 11/22/2006