By MARGARET L. WILLIS

The appearance of two developers before the Chesterton Park board netted no new public park space Tuesday.

Developer Vic Roberts will provide a cash payment of $1,200 to the parks, in lieu of land, for six new lots in Duneland Cove, while Tom Godfrey, general counsel for Lake Erie Land, received the okay to create additional private open space within Sand Creek for 74 lots in Phase Six.

In Duneland Cove, Roberts and his partners Tom Roberts, Ron Ahrens and Steve Coppes, had previously donated the land for Waskom Park and built sidewalks along Michael Drive. Roberts said he and his fellow developers were open to the board’s guidance on whether land or cash should be given to the park for the six new lots.

The lots will be developed on Ironwood Court, just off Michael Drive, on the southern edge of Duneland Cove, beyond Waskom Park. The 701 foot road ends in a cul de sac.

Roberts said plans call for the construction of sidewalks facilitating access to the park to continue throughout the development.

The three board members present, Vincent Emanuele, Roy Flaherty and Paul Petro agreed unanimously that the $200 per lot formula, equaling a $1,200 donation was a good plan. Board member Ted Jacobs was absent. Roberts plans to make the donation prior to final plan commission approval.

Phase Six of Sand Creek, as a Planned Unit Development, will be comprised of 74 lots, with four lots set aside for open space, Godfrey told the board. The plan shows the lots will be created adjacent to Friday Rd., inside the eastern boundary of the existing country club property.

The four lots will total two acres and may be developed as chipping or putting greens, Godfrey said. No matter how they are developed, they will be accessible only to residents, as access will be via private streets within the gated community, Godfrey said. They will be privately maintained with property owners association fees.

The board unanimously approved the plans.

Renovation Underway

Park Superintendent Bruce Mathias told the board Phase One of the Thomas Park renovation is underway. A majority of the bricks have been laid and work will continue today, he said.

Installation of the foundation for the clock tower is also underway. Phase One is to be completed by September, Mathias said.

Fourth of July celebrations and following clean-up at Dogwood Park “went very well,“ Mathias said.

He also reported the park crews have re-stained Shelter Six at Dogwood, that the John Deere tractor had broken down and been repaired and is back in service and that dirt has been mounded over concrete remaining in Coffee Creek Park from the old water utility building and will make a nice ‘bunny’ sledding hill.

Condolences Offered

As their first order of business Tuesday, the board offered their condolences to the family of John T. Stewart, former park board member and past president. The former owner of Star Video and Dunes Decorating was active in many community organizations.

“He had a lot of concern for the community and our parks,” said Emanuele.

Posted 8/7/2002