SCHERERVILLE | Discussion about liquor licenses isn't as intense locally at it was in February, but legislation to allow eight additional permits in Schererville continues to progress downstate.
Senate Bill 339, which would increase Schererville's allotment of licenses, is headed to a conference committee.
The licenses would be split between two planned lifestyle centers in Schererville.
Local businessman Al Krygier, who holds several liquor licenses in Schererville, hopes the Senate will vote against it.
Krygier has led a group of Schererville business owners opposed to the creation of liquor licenses for use at the lifestyle centers.
The developers have said the lifestyle centers hinge on full-service restaurants, which require liquor licenses.
Krygier disagrees.
"The development won't go away," Krygier said. "It's just what's inside the development (that would change)."
The town has reiterated support for the two lifestyle center developments, said Town Manager Bob Volkmann.
Oak Street Shops would sit just north of Lowe's on U.S. 41 and already has full approval from the Plan Commission, Volkmann said.
The lifestyle center is a planned unit development, which gives the developer some flexibility and creativity in the planning but also limits any changes once it is submitted and approved, Volkmann said.
Shops on Main, a 340,000-square-foot lifestyle center proposed to sit on the current site of Schererville Golf & Fun Center just south of Main Street on U.S. 41, does not have any approvals yet, Volkmann said.
The developer plans to break ground in September, but the development still needs some zoning changes, subdivision plot approval and engineering approval, Volkmann said.