DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Regular Meeting
September 25, 2008

M I N U T E S

The regular meeting of the Development Advisory Committee was held on September 25, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. in the Porter County Administration Center, 155 Indiana Avenue, Valparaiso, Indiana.

Those members present were Kevin Breitzke, Harvey Nix, Joey Larr, Ray Riddell, Mike Haller and Robert W. Thompson Jr.  Also present was Toni Byers.

The following case was heard by the Committee on this date:

The Courts of Northwest Indiana developmental review.

Rich Hudson stated that he is representing and accompanied by the petitioner in this matter, Mark Bengel.

Mr. Thompson stated that this is their second time at DAC and they are scheduled for the Plan Commission at the Oct. 8, 2008 meeting.  The issues from the last DAC meeting, 9-19-08, were:  landscaping plan for parking lot – we have a landscaping plan for around the building.

Mr. Hudson stated that Don Bengel was trying to work with Ray Joseph and Mr. Joseph had been in an accident.  They had come up with 48 shrubs that they needed, and he was working with Mr. Joseph on where to put those, so that has not been finalized yet.  So he’s hoping to get that resolved before the meeting.  The other thing that he has not heard back on yet is the DLZ comments back on the forebay that they were reviewing.

Mr. Thompson stated that he had to send DLZ some information on the original calculations and stuff.  He doesn’t know if they have that yet or if  they have just now gotten it. 

Mark Bengel asked if  that would hold them up for the Plan Commission meeting on Oct. 8th.

Mr. Thompson stated that essentially they got the Variance for the storm water, and  they committed to having a bigger pond.  This is just mainly the water quality and stuff like that.  It’s not really a report coming from DLZ; it’s more or less DLZ’s just working with them to make sure the water quality’s on site.  He stated that they were to submit a parking lot lighting plan. He doesn’t know if he’s done that or not.   He sees the security lights that are shown on the building and everything like that.  The only thing with the lights, they have to be shielded, and the light sent in a downward direction. Make sure there’s no spillage over onto adjoining parcels.   There was to be a conceptual drawing of the building to be gotten out to all the

members; striping in the parking lot – they were talking about the crosswalks and stuff and other parking areas and the sidewalk; the last issue was to make sure that the sidewalks are ADA compliant; also wetlands delineation.  There was an original wetlands delineation.  Were they able to find that?

Mr. Hudson stated that they had worked on the Liberty Bible Centre, the PUD  that was in effect until this came up for this property, and he had called them and asked if they had that, and Mr. Hudson told him they didn’t have anything on a wetlands delineation, but he thought  that it was on his original topo, which he had done for Brenns.  He doesn’t know if there was a wetlands report.

Mr. Breitzke stated that he thought something was brought up about the well and septic, or did we miss that last time?

Mark Bengel stated that he’s working with the state on that.  They are enlarging the current system.

Mr. Thompson stated, when it comes down to it, he’ll work with them on the landscaping plan and maybe he can bring in Rick Burns, also.   The plans need to get out pronto to the Plan Commission members. 

Mr. Breitzke stated, just back to the septic fields, he didn’t know how they were enlarging that, the field, what they want to keep in mind, if they are not going to be in ownership of the two buildings, to have some kind of legal agreements set up.  Likewise, the well.  Where is the well going to be located?

Mark Bengel stated that it has to be 200 feet from the building or something.

Mr. Breitzke stated, but anyway you want to verify that and make sure you don’t have conflicts with the driveways, parking lots and still have the accessibility for the maintenance of the well.  Is this going to be a dry detention pond?  He thinks these are pretty much boxes.  He doesn’t think we have to worry about fire protection as much, but we always do.

Mr. Thompson stated that it was originally designed as a dry bottom.

Mark Bengel stated, nothing holds water on there now.

Mr. Breitzke stated that he was going to ask for a dry hydrant if they were going to put water back there, but never mind.   They just want to make sure the well is well-marked and in accordance with the rules of the state.

Issues raised were landscape plan for parking lot – where to place plants; lighting plan for parking lot; wetlands delineation (copy); make sure well complies with state regulations.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:25 p.m.