By PAULENE POPARAD

The markets are falling, home sales have stalled, costs are rising and local governments are being asked to do more with less.

According to consultant A.J. Monroe, now’s a good time for the Town of Porter to draft an economic development plan. “The best time to plan is when things are slow because it will turn around.”

Ten town officials met with Monroe for nearly two hours Tuesday as he outlined recent land-use and transportation studies and plugged an unspecified “immediate opportunity” for Porter to cooperate with Burns Harbor on goals both share.

Monroe of JJR,LLC has submitted to Porter a proposed contract for consulting services; earlier this year he was hired by Burns Harbor to update its comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance, and to find and help secure grant money.

According to Porter Town Council member Michele Bollinger, “There’s never a good time to spend money. I’m not saying we go gangbusters but it’s something we need to do a little at a time to get a plan in place.” Porter’s missed opportunities and grants, she noted, and the town needs someone to reel them in.

Councilman and Porter Redevelopment Commission member Micheal Genger said relying on the status quo isn’t good enough. “Others will be developing and I as a town don’t want to get the leftovers.”

Plan Commission member Jim Eriksson suggested the group review Porter’s current master plan as a starting point. Key land along U.S. 20 previously was rezoned to require that new plans undergo special town scrutiny before development occurs.

While Burns Harbor and Porter share some similarities as well as the Interstate 94/U.S. 20 interchange, Monroe agreed with Porter Clerk-treasurer Carol Pomeroy that Porter is unique because so much of its land lies within the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore boundaries.

Monroe said the combined three million annual visitors who come to INDU and the Indiana Dunes State Park on Porter’s doorstep can become an economic engine for positive change.

Stated Porter Redevelopment Commission member Trevan Fowler, “This group as a whole has to decide what do we want for us, for our families.” Yes, attracting tourists may be the answer, but will the dollars spent here locally offset any disruption for Porter residents? he asked.

Monroe shared the findings and recommendations found in two recent studies: the Marquette Plan Phase 2 vision for lakeshore reinvestment between Portage and the Michigan state line, and the Porter County U.S. 12/U.S. 20 corridor transportation plan.

Pomeroy said the Marquette Plan recommends Porter enhance its gateways at the I-94/U.S. 20 intersection, and implement a cooperative strategy for addressing parking and traffic issues with surrounding jurisdictions including the state and federal parks. “That isn’t telling us a darn thing,” she said.

Monroe said while options and alternatives are generally described in both studies, exact development plans need to reflect each community’s wishes. “It’s the community’s responsibility to choose its own future.”

In Porter’s case, he encouraged partnering with the National Park Service and the Indiana Department of Transportation early on. Porter Councilman Dave Babcock noted INDOT this year rebuilt U.S. 20 in Burns Harbor east of Indiana 149 but didn’t include sidewalks or a bike lane. Monroe said a town needs to have a wish list ready. “The important thing for a community to do is know how to answer INDOT the next time they come to you.”

Monroe also said the sprawling national park has irregular boundaries and no defined center. “I think the center is (Indiana) 49 but that’s just me.” Babcock said he’d like to see hotels and related amenities near Indiana 49 and U.S. 20. The joint NPS/Porter County visitor center is located there in the Munson Place commercial subdivision, but it remains the only tenant despite infrastructure being in place.

Genger said he’s met with representatives of Munson developer Lake Erie Land and the group is being “very picky” about what they let in.

Town Council president Jon Granat speculated NPS may not want Porter to develop fully along the U.S. 20 corridor; since NPS owns more land along U.S. 12, development there isn’t likely. Monroe said communication needs to be opened and a balance struck between the economic interest of Porter and INDU’s needs.

Heather Ennis, managing director of the Duneland Chamber of Commerce, suggested better signage on U.S. 12 and U.S. 20 to help bring visitors from Lake Michigan beaches into the local communities. Sherrill Newman, a Porter business owner, said tourists are looking for ways to spend money. Eriksson said Porter has a lot to offer and needs to get that word out.

Monroe urged Porter officials to take both the short-term and long-term approach when planning. “Things go away. The question is, what’s next?”

Granat agreed at some point Indiana fireworks laws likely will change and the huge Shelton Fireworks building at Porter’s west gateway will be abandoned. He also noted money Porter would like to use for other things isn’t available because the town has to spend millions of dollars to upgrade its long-neglected sanitary sewer collection system and lift stations.

According to resident Jennifer Klug, with tax revenue predicted to go down and the cost of road salt dramatically up, committing the town to pay a required grant match could become a problem. “We have to look at in the long run if this is something we really can afford.” She also questioned the impact on local zoning standards to accomplish redevelopment goals.

Regarding the money, Monroe replied, “You’re right, the local units of government are hit hard, but others are sitting on some cash.” There’s money to be had from programs and agencies, and Porter shouldn’t be shy about asking for some, he added.

Burns Harbor tentatively has been awarded a $100,000 grant for development-related activities but it has to come up with a $100,000 local match. An application for the money has been made to the Regional Development Authority.

Monroe, the former Portage city planner, often described how development/redevelopment plans and projects were undertaken there. Trade-offs can be negotiated and intergovernmental cooperation goes a long way, he said.

Monroe also urged Porter officials to look at the big picture, not just a snapshot of today. “You better be planning for your grandkids."

Posted 10/8/2008