Significant votes from local governments across the Region last week included an immigration enforcement-related resolution in Valparaiso, a rezoning request for a residential development in Crown Point and the selection of an interim town manager in St. John.
Valparaiso City Council, Date of meeting: Monday, Feb. 23
Key takeaway:
The Valparaiso City Council approved a resolution Monday regarding actions of the federal government and its officers regarding immigration.
In the resolution, approved by a 5-2 vote, the council expressed “its profound sorrow and sympathy for the families, friends and communities affected by the lives lost or harmed by recent immigration enforcement actions. The City unequivocally condemns any enforcement tactics that needlessly endanger human life, disregard basic dignity and erode the rule of law.”
The resolution goes on to criticize certain practices and actions undertaken in recent months, notably in Minneapolis.
The 5-2 vote fell along party lines, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed.
Crown Point Plan Commission, Date of meeting: Monday, Feb. 23
Key takeaways:
The Crown Point Plan Commission is recommending the city council reject a rezoning request for 199 acres on the south side of the city that would allow a denser residential development than allowed under the current zoning classification, R-1A.
The Preserve Point development would take up the bulk of an area that includes the planned Capstone residential development. The land developer, Cap Dev, and the site developer and construction company, Pulte Group, are seeking to put 473 homes on land annexed in 2022 at the northwest corner of Grant Street and 141st Avenue. They would need variances to accommodate the smaller-than-required lot widths they hope to use for the smallest and middle-sized of three planned home designs.
The smaller lot widths — which would ultimately need to be approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals — were the hook Monday for discussion of general density issues at the site. While Monday’s action concerned zoning alone — not the specific site plan — a majority of commissioners decided they had sufficient cause to reject the requested zoning classification — R-2 — as being inappropriate for the site.
Four of seven commission members voted in favor of sending the unfavorable recommendation. The city council has ultimate authority in rezoning requests. Among council members on the plan commission, one (Laura Sauerman) voted for the unfavorable recommendation, while two (Chad Jeffries and Joe Sanders) supported the rezoning request and voted to send a favorable recommendation.
In another matter, the plan commission made a favorable recommendation to the city council to amend the city’s zoning code to require a special use variance to build a gas station in Crown Point. Currently, gas stations are a permitted use in the business B-3 and industrial I-1 zoned areas. The amendment would define vehicle fueling stations in the city’s code and require the special use variance, which would give the city added opportunity to detail requirements, including operating hours, or to deny a petition.
In addition to the operating practices of gas stations, their impact on the property they occupy is an ongoing concern, because of the remediation efforts that are generally needed to redevelop the property for another type of business.
The plan commission also approved a site plan for an industrial building on Virginia Street, south of 109th Avenue near Interstate 65.
St. John Town Council, Date of Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 24
Key takeaway:
The St. John Town Council on Wednesday appointed one of its current members to be interim town manager, effective March 19, with the departure of current manager Billy Manousopoulos, who has accepted a similar position in Dolton, Illinois.
Councilman Wayne Pondinas will resign his position on the council and become interim town manager on that date, as ratified by a 5-0 vote of the council.
“I don't know anybody else who would be more effective and knows more about the town and its workings than him,” Councilman Christian Jorgensen said.
“Wayne is extremely dedicated to the town of St John and extremely passionate,” Council President Michael Bouvat said before the council voted unanimously to appoint Pondinas.
The town will now seek a permanent manager for a position that’s seen frequent turnover.
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