Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Town to review East Indian Boundary sign policy

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By KEVIN NEVERS

Late this past summer, the Chesterton Town Council heard the concerns of two Dunelanders troubled by what they see as a lack of signage for businesses located on Indian Boundary Road east of Ind. 49, the Redevelopment Commission is turning its attention to the issue.

In July, Victoria Brock told the council from the floor that out-of-towners southbound from I-94 are highly unlikely to turn left onto Indian Boundary Road and that, if they do, they’re just as unlikely actually to find their way to any specific business.

Then, in August, Matt Jewison suggested that motorists southbound on Ind. 49 simply can’t see Indian Boundary Road east of Ind. 49 as they approach the intersection because it’s blocked by trees. In any case, Jewison added at the time, signage well in advance of the intersection specifically directs motorists looking for Chesterton to turn right onto westbound Indian Boundary Road.

Two months later, it appears that the Redevelopment Commission may take a crack at the problem.

At the commission’s meeting Monday night, Member Jim Ton--who also has a seat on the council, R-1st--ventured to say that the vicissitudes of business are at least as much the bailiwick of the Redevelopment Commission as they are of the Town Council.

“Is there an issue there?” Ton broached the subject. “Yes, there is an issue. I just think we need to chew it over a little.”

If signage is in fact the solution to the problem, Ton noted, then any number of factors need to be reviewed: the legality of sign placement, ownership of the property on which the signs would be placed, and INDOT jurisdiction, among them.

Ton noted that Brock subsequently reported to him, by e-mail, that she attempted to pursue the issue with the LaPorte District of the Indiana Department of Transportation but was “unable to get any traction.”

Town Engineer Mark O’Dell, for his part, observed that, subsequent to Jewison’s appearance before the council, INDOT actually removed the right-turn arrow from the blue directional signage located north of Indian Boundary Road, so that the businesses west of Ind. 49 are no longer privileged at the expense of those east of Ind. 49.

But, O’Dell added, INDOT has jurisdiction along Ind. 49, not the Town of Chesterton. In any case, under the town’s Zoning Code off-site signage is not allowed.

At Ton’s recommendation, members voted 4-0 to ask staff to review the issue. Member Jeff Trout was not in attendance.

 

Posted 10/28/2014

 
 

 

 

 

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