When it meets at 7 p.m. Monday, the Chesterton Town Council will consider
re-zoning to business uses the 2.4-acre parcel currently used by the Porter
hospital EMS station at the southwest corner of East Porter Ave. and Ind.
49.
At its meeting in May, the Advisory Plan Commission voted 4-1 to endorse the
re-zone, from R-2 to B-2.
The re-zone is needed by the Chesterton/Duneland Chamber of Commerce to
obtain financing for its proposed $170,000 welcome sign and LED message
board, which would be sited at the south end of the parcel.
The Porter County Commissioners own the property in question.
The Plan Commission, in endorsing the re-zone, have recommended the
exclusion of certain B-2 uses: nursing home, retirement village, greenhouse,
all auto-service uses, retail food sales and fast-food restaurants,
recreational uses, firework sales, alcohol sales, and convenience stores.
Permitted uses include bank, business offices, child care,
medical/veterinary clinic, tanning salon, funeral home, church, antique
shop, florist, and office supply.
Planner Jeff Ton cast the lone nay vote against endorsing the re-zone, on
the ground that the Morgan Park neighborhood, directly across the street
from the ambulance facility, needs no more business.
The Town Council will consider another re-zone endorsed by the Plan
Commission: two parcels at 190 E. Mekeland Lane owned by Lewis and Lisa
Graff, from B-3 to R-1.
The Town Council
will also hear updates on the Downtown utility project, the Thomas
Centennial Park restroom project, and the 15th Street facility.
Posted 6/10/2011