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.
“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.